National Donut Day

Often, these national recognition days are established by industry groups promoting a product category. When I looked up the origin of National Donut Day, I was surprised to find that the day was first recognized in 1938 by the Salvation Army to commemorate the volunteers ("doughgirls") who distributed donuts to soldiers on the front lines (Fagan, 2009), although another source (Shanoon, 2014) refers to the volunteers as "donut lassies." One blog recounts a story in which a POW in Hanoi during the Vietnam War convinced his captors that the Marine Corps birthday was known as National Donut Day (Dolbow, 2009). The guards were moved to serve sticky buns to the prisoners during November 1968.

National Donut Day or not, I love donuts. I remember them from quick stops at the E-Z Shop convenience store before school and as a treat on Saturday mornings after sleepovers with my best friend from sixth grade, Betsy R. When I lived in Oklahoma and had a long commute to work, I occasionally stoped for locally made treats.

Since I became vegan, though, I haven't eaten donuts so much (which is perhaps a blessing). If I have the opportunity, though, I don't pass it by. I had a delicious vegan glazed donut at Rise Above in St. Catheriene's Ontario a few years ago. When a particular strong and unyielding craving struck about two years ago, I ordered a dozen through Vegan Essentials.

Last summer, visiting Portland, Oregon, I nearly cried with joy to learn that the famous Voodoo Doughnut offered a wide variety of vegan pastries. (Why no bakery in Ithaca offers vegan donuts is a mystery to me. Another instance of ITH being overrated, though I digress.) Apparently, the bakery has been featured on a number of foodie shows and publications. Consequently, during the day, the line extended down the block and doubled back amounting to an hour or so wait. The line did not deter me. I ate nearly 300 it seems, so it's probably good that I was only there a week. The flavors I tried were as good if not better than non-vegan donuts. I can still smell the shop and taste the frosting! If I could teleport there right this minute, I would. They're right, the donuts are magic. Nom nom nom.

References

• Dolbow, Jim (2009, November). "Today is National Donut Day: A funny POW story." U.S. Naval Institute Blog (http://blog.usni.org/2009/11/10/today-is-national-donut-day-a-funny-pow-story).
• Fagan, Kevin (2009, June 6). "A holey holiday," SF Gate.(http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/A-holey-holiday-National-Doughnut-Day-3230331.php.)
• McCook, Shannon (2013, June 7). "The story behind National Donut Day and Where to Find a Freebie," Parade Magazine. (http://parade.condenast.com/20632/smccook/the-history-behind-national-doughnut-day-where-to-find-free-donuts/)
• Salvation Army. (nd). The History of Donut Day

If Fast Food Could Talk...

I just donated $10 to help Mercy for Animals campaign to help promote advertising that shows the animal suffering that goes on daily in factory farms.

Bring it on Down to Veganville

Justin Timberlake - Bring It On Down 2... by IdolxMuzic

I watched SNL last night, and I must admit that during the "Bring it on Down to Veganville" sketch, I was waiting for Justin Timberlake, wearing a tofu costume, to succumb to the pressures to eat sausage and then abandon his veg ways. With stories on NPR like, "Why Bacon is a Gateway Meat for Vegetarians" and vegans and vegetarians often the butt of jokes in popular culture, is is any surprise of my skepticism? Or any wonder that when I told George this morning that SNL had a vegan skit last night, he responded by saying, "how did they make fun of you?" To my delight and amazement, it was the Sausage Depot shill who had a change of heart, saying, "Oh god, what have I done. I've been eating Babe's grandchildren for years. I'm a monster" after Timberlake, with complete sincerity, said, "If you knew how meat was raised, you wouldn't eat it." Today, my Facebook newsfeed is dominated by shares of the skit among vegans who are beyond the moon to see a positive representation of vegans that is funny and without sanctimony. The skit also highlights the charisma of Timberlake, who makes even a tofu costume seem sexy.

NYC Vegetarian Fest Swag

Many well-known vegan vendors had booths at the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival. The only thing I wanted but didn't find was a vegan donut. Otherwise, as you can see, I came home with many goodies (some of which I ate on the bus home). The festival was packed with speakers on three stages, but the people I was most interested in seeing were scheduled for Sunday. Because of a work commitment, I had to leave NYC early enough to be in Ithaca Sunday evening. I did hear Zoe Weil, of the Institute for Humane Education. I've done a few classes through the institute, and Zoe's presence is palpable, so it was nice to see her in person.

I was lucky to have purchased a VIP ticket in advance, which allowed me faster entry into the festival. I heard that some people in the general admission line waited up to two hours for admittance. It was nice to see so many people interested in being vegan!

World Vegan Day

Celebrate World Vegan Day, November 1, to kick off World Vegan Month. Remember 269!

Happy Birthday to Me

Don't Have a Cow, Man!

Find tasty meatless recipes at the Meatless Monday website!

Some Sandwich

George says I'm going to turn into a sandwich, I eat them so often.

Seitan Sandwich

Lunch and "power hour" of work with Elizabeth at Collegetown Bagels. Seitan sandwich. Nom. Nom. Nom.

Meatout is March 20!

Meatout began in 1985 as a grassroots campaign to promote plant-based diets. Last year, over 35,000 people received samples of vegan food. What will you do for Meatout this year?

Turkeys Don't Want to Be Your Dinner

Meatless Monday

You can do it! Just one day a week, for the animals, the environment, and your own health. Or, do it for me. Don't know how? Ask me or visit Meatless Monday for ideas.

Why I'm Vegan #1826

My friend, Roni from DaisyWares, participated in this rescue. She is such a courageous activist. When posting the video on facebook, Roni quoted one of her friends, "These are incredible sweet, gentle hens. They're from an egg farm and have already been mutilated, debeaked. While we cherish the lives we save, we never forget the brothers who are killed the day they are born, and the sisters who aren't so lucky, who are slaughtered by the tens of millions each year...for a product."

Green Vegetarian

I spent all day doing information interviews, so it was quite a treat to end the day with dinner at Green Vegetarian. I'd eaten breakfast there on Sunday with Christy, and I only wish I'd had time for more trips to the restaurant. On Sunday, we each had delicious french toast which was served with a wonderfully seasoned tofu scramble. Tonight for dinner, I decided to go Tex-Mex since it was my last evening in San Antonio. The meal didn't disappoint!



I wish I could take food home with me! Here's my meal before I devoured it: enchiladas with daiya cheese, rice, and refried beans:



Because it wasn't in walking distance of the hotel, I took the #2 bus, which had a stop just a block away. In the other direction, though, the closest bus stop was half a mile, so going back, I took a cab. I always think taking public transportation when traveling is a fun adventure.

I ❤ Salad

Quotation of the Day

‎"Until a vegan or vegetarian enters the room, people don't see themselves as meat-eaters. They are merely 'eaters', and it is we vegans who have made them aware of what they are doing. Often this is discomforting."

~ Carol J Adams

Etsy Treasury: Red with Vegan

Thanks to the amazing, incomparable Roni of Daisy Wares for including my Red Bead Ceiling Fan Pull in her "Red with Vegan" treasury. Please visit the treasury by clicking here and show it some love!

Why I'm Vegan #1524

"My body will not be a tomb for other creatures." 

~Leonardo da Vinci

Support Animal Place!

Lunch

One of my favorite lunches, a salad from Greenstar. It would be perfect if they had red peppers available on the salad bar. As is, it's pretty good anyway!

Meatout TV Ad