Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

On Sunday we participated in the Walk For Animals to benefit Farm Sanctuary. It was held in a gorgeous  Metropark resplendent with changing leaves and small lakes. I was Captain for Team 2 Edgy Veggies. We raised $487,  enjoyed meeting new friends, walked 2.75 miles and won two raffle prizes.  During the vegan potluck I consumed large enough quantities to have a vegan food baby. (my fond term for a belly that sticks out from over-eating)

I was grateful that we had  a 45 minute drive home so I could  succumb to the inevitible food coma and sleep it off. This potluck was positively outrageous.  I promise you this…if it takes the rest of my life I will hunt down the recipe for the caramel cupcake frosting that put me over the edge. I didn’t even take a cupcake when we were grazing down the potluck line. There were too many other choices like Michigan Peach Cobbler with whipped cream. Yes please. I bypassed the cupcakes but tasted Sandy’s to make sure it was good enough for her. It was.

I doubted the validity of the rumor that the cupcakes were donning caramel frosting. It didn’t look like caramel frosting. The taste was reminiscent of  those homemade caramels that are hand wrapped in sheets of waxed paper. The kind that you would find on the night stand of a very expensive bed and breakfast or would buy in a quaint  town in Vermont. It was salted and burnt caramel. It was sultry and sweet in  a seductive way. It made me ignore my self control. I’ll find the recipe. I’ll share it and we can all abandon our self control together.

One of the things I found so phenomenal about the walk  was the depth of passion and involvement of the participants. Here we were in Michigan, fundraising and participating in a walk that benefits a sanctuary 450 miles away. We  have a farm animal  sanctuary in Michigan that we also  support but I have to admit, I had wondered how  the Michigan sanctuary felt about the NY sanctuary holding a fundraiser on their turf.  After all, donor dollars are worth fighting for. It did not surprise me though to find out that the organizer for the NY walk being held here is a board member for the Michigan sanctuary. They believe as I do….help any, help all, do what you can and start now. It was wonderful to meet all of these new people that care so deeply for animals and then act on it. They also appeared to love to cook and eat and I love that too.

By the end of the afternoon there were hugs and emails to exchange. Out of the blue a a woman asked me if I did vegan catering or  in-home cooking demo parties and that is exactly what I would like to do more. I put it out there universally and there she was. Very cool. Sometimes I forget that if I want to meet more people that enjoy compassionate cuisine and enjoy doing some of the same  things I do, then I have to venture out and do those things to meet those people. I can do that.

So, I encourage you to sign up for a veg event in your town, especially if you are new to vegetarianism or thinking about incorporating more meatless meals into your diet.  There are countless veg and vegan Meetups in every city great and small. Can’t find the right one….have your friends over for a veg potluck or a movie night. You can rent Food Inc or Forks Over Knives and engage in lively discussion while noshing on plant strong  edibles.  There may even be a  Farm Sanctuary Walk For Animals scheduled in your town. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: 30 day challenge, compassionate eating, Farm Sanctuary, going veg, plant based diet, Vegan Meetup, vegan potluck, vegan transition, vegan wannabe, vegetarian transition, Walk For Animals