Showing posts with label blog giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog giveaway. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
Congratulations Rebecca!
Congratulations to Rebecca, our Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway Spring Fling winner! Thanks so much to everyone for your entries, and keep your eye out for the next giveaway!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Congratulations AMANDA - you've won the Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway!!
Three cheers to commenter Amanda, who - by random selection - has won our Great Vegan Etsy Giveaway! Amanda told us that this vegan pendant from For the Animals is a great way to help donate to animal causes, this handmade brooch from Dark Fairie will proudly proclaim her veganism, and that she'd love to receive a Pansy Maiden bag for the holidays!Thanks for your awesome entry Amanda, and thanks to everyone who entered and who supports us the whole year through. We couldn't do it without you!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Workout DVD Review and Giveaway
Last week I was thinking about different workout moves to improve specific "derby muscles" when it dawned on me that I could google "roller derby workout" What I found was a video made by a derby team in California, The Heartattacks, and I decided to contact them. When I ordered my video, they sent a video to have a giveaway in my blog!!! It is your lucky day!
This video is definitely not just for derby girls, anyone who wanted to do it could, and would have a lot of fun doing so. The first section is warm ups, including the famous "stripper stretch", if you don't know what this is...I guess you will need to order a copy to find out! Then there is a section for abs (I can't yet do this section with my skates on, just barefoot), a section for your legs, a booty section and then a "fancy footwork" section (that's what I call it, I have no idea what its actually called hah).
An honest review of this DVD would have me tell you that it's awesome! The exercises are challenging but most anyone could do them, the music is catchy but not distracting, the video is edited well and put together really nicely. Overall this is in my "everyday" pile of workout DVDs, meaning I will do at least one section of this workout DVD daily! Today I will do the entire workout, since I didn't work out yesterday... oh will I feel it later today!
Yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah, get to the part where I give away a copy of this DVD... OK, here goes. To enter, leave a comment in our blogspot blog post telling me: A-if and where you do roller derby, and if you have a name then please share that too (if not that's fine, I am just curious) B- what you are most excited about with this workout DVD C- what your favorite animal is D- your email or a contact of some sort in case you win.
This giveaway is open to anyone, in the USA and beyond. Please only enter once and good luck! Please remember to include your email address or a way to get in touch with you, because if you win and I can't find you that will totally stink! Good luck and play nice!
This video is definitely not just for derby girls, anyone who wanted to do it could, and would have a lot of fun doing so. The first section is warm ups, including the famous "stripper stretch", if you don't know what this is...I guess you will need to order a copy to find out! Then there is a section for abs (I can't yet do this section with my skates on, just barefoot), a section for your legs, a booty section and then a "fancy footwork" section (that's what I call it, I have no idea what its actually called hah).
An honest review of this DVD would have me tell you that it's awesome! The exercises are challenging but most anyone could do them, the music is catchy but not distracting, the video is edited well and put together really nicely. Overall this is in my "everyday" pile of workout DVDs, meaning I will do at least one section of this workout DVD daily! Today I will do the entire workout, since I didn't work out yesterday... oh will I feel it later today!
Yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah, get to the part where I give away a copy of this DVD... OK, here goes. To enter, leave a comment in our blogspot blog post telling me: A-if and where you do roller derby, and if you have a name then please share that too (if not that's fine, I am just curious) B- what you are most excited about with this workout DVD C- what your favorite animal is D- your email or a contact of some sort in case you win.
This giveaway is open to anyone, in the USA and beyond. Please only enter once and good luck! Please remember to include your email address or a way to get in touch with you, because if you win and I can't find you that will totally stink! Good luck and play nice!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Win a Vegan Craft Sample Bag- 2 ways to win! Giveaway on vegan etsy
Just posted a new giveaway on our facebook page this morning, all you have to do is tell us what your favorite vegan food is!
Yep its that simple, favorite vegan food and you are entered to win a vegan craft sample bag!
Yep its that simple, favorite vegan food and you are entered to win a vegan craft sample bag!
Only a couple of days left to enter our other giveaway for a free vegan craft sample bag, we need a design for our bags, yep thats right...check out our blog for details!
Heck, if you dont feel like trying your chances with a giveaway, swing on over to our etsy shop lickety split to grab one of the few sample bags left!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Time's up, pencils down. And now, the answers you've all been waiting for.
Well! As I'm sure all you faithful readers know, last week I challenged you all... with a challenge! Until midnight last night, I accepted answers to my vegan pop quiz. Everyone did wonderfully, and I hope learned something in the process. But what's the use of having knowledge if we don't share it? I say we bust it on out.
Question #1: The origin of "vegan". I think most everybody had to look this up, either for a name or a date or maybe even for the full story. And what is that full story? It goes like this. Around 1944, Elise Shrigley and Donald Watson were really irritated that people were running around calling themselves "vegetarians" and yet were still eating animal products. They decided that clearly there needed to be a different word for people who abstained entirely, and coined vegan - the beginning and end of vegetarianism. (Get it?) They also then founded the Vegan Society. They defined the word vegan like so:
Respondent Laura C., a spiritual reverend (!) from the Maryland area, also contributed this definition which also purports to have come from the founders of the Vegan Society:
Question #2: The conundrum that is "non-dairy" soy cheese that still isn't vegan. What is that mysterious milk protein that the industry is just so hooked on? That's right kids, iiit's CASEIN! Casein is what makes dairy cheese do that funky stretchy elastic thing. This is apparently a desirable trait. So they isolate this protein and throw it into a soy cheese and expect it to act the same way that dairy cheese does. Does it? No. Does this really do anything but make this a stupid, non-vegan category of fake-healthy product? No. But you know, that's OK, foolish icky caseinfilled cheesemakers, we have Follow Your Heart and Teese, not to mention Tofutti for our cream cheese and sour cream needs. We need not your casein nonsense.
Question #3: They make shellac from WHAT now? Yes, it's bugs. You thought it was only silk that came from bugs, didn't you? Didn't know they're actually FEEDING YOU BUGS, did you. But they are, oh yes. Where? Well, mostly on candy. Why do we force feed our children the most terrible things? High fructose corn syrup, gelatin in the form of gummy candies and jello, and of course the bugs. Ah yes, but I must explain. You see, shellac is made from the secretions of the female lac bug. Now you're thinking, isn't shellac what they put on wood paneling and stuff? Yeah, that too. But it goes under another name: confectioner's glaze. Doesn't that sound sweet? Here's my favorite bit from the Wikipedia entry on the subject: "This coating may not be considered as Vegetarian as it may, and probably does, contain crushed insects. In the tablet manufacture trade, it is sometimes referred to as 'beetlejuice' for this reason." Simply charming!
Insects are used for many human purposes, above and beyond the making of fancy cloths and shiny candies. One of my Vegan Etsy team mates was kind enough to share this story with me of a firsthand experience:
Question #4: Veganize it, and get those eggs outta here. Who doesn't love vegan baking? Trust me, when it's good, everyone loves vegan baking! And you don't even have to find already vegan recipes - you just have to learn to veganize it. When baking, there are plenty of options when it comes to replacing eggs. The type of recipe often determines what your best replacement option is. Cookies? Flaxseed meal and water all the way! It makes the cookies chewy and delightful. The secret there is to mix it in a vegetable chopper for a few minutes. For muffins and loaves, I like to use soy yogurt. And for some things like waffles, we find that Ener-G Egg Replacer really does work best. Other options include apple sauce and bananas, though go into it knowing that your end result will be a bit fruity. Sometimes this is a very good thing!
One respondent gave what I believe to be a home recipe for egg replacer, except without measurements: tapioca, potato starch, baking soda, xantham gum, water and oil. Perhaps she'll be so kind as to provide them? That'd be awesome, says I.
Everyone was in agreement on this one I think. Hooray for unanimity!
Question #5: The dangers for a vegan at an Indian restaurant. Everybody pretty much nailed this on the head the first time. Why? Because Indian food is awesome! And vegans can eat at pretty much any Indian restaurant as long as we know what to avoid. Some of the biggest culprits are ghee (clarified butter), paneer (a sort of soft white farmer's cheese) and raita (a cucumber yogurt sauce). There is also cream used in many dishes, but it's usually noted simply as cream so it's much easier to spot. If you're interested in making some vegan Indian food at home, this web page might entertain you as well as getting you started.
Yes, everyone came up with the same three or four answers - everyone, that is, except for my friend Thom. He came up with "eggs". And I was all, what the hell Indian food has eggs in it? And he was all, naan. And I was all, nuh uh. So then he sent me a recipe. Naan with eggs! I knew that it was sometimes (OK frequently) made with ghee, so it's pretty much off the list anyway. But eggs? That was a big surprise. Learn something new every day, I guess.
So there you have it. Questions answered and prizes won. Hopefully a good time had by all, and a thing or two learned. I certainly enjoyed reading all of your responses. A big thanks to everyone who participated - I hope you enjoy your prize packs! That is, as soon as I get them mailed. ;)
Until next Monday,
hearts,
Melissa Bastian.
Question #1: The origin of "vegan". I think most everybody had to look this up, either for a name or a date or maybe even for the full story. And what is that full story? It goes like this. Around 1944, Elise Shrigley and Donald Watson were really irritated that people were running around calling themselves "vegetarians" and yet were still eating animal products. They decided that clearly there needed to be a different word for people who abstained entirely, and coined vegan - the beginning and end of vegetarianism. (Get it?) They also then founded the Vegan Society. They defined the word vegan like so:
The word "veganism" denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.And there you go. Vegan in a nutshell.
Respondent Laura C., a spiritual reverend (!) from the Maryland area, also contributed this definition which also purports to have come from the founders of the Vegan Society:
The term "vegan" is derived from the Latin word vegetus, which means "full of life," which the founders hoped their system would be.I'm supposing that anything with the "veg" root can have a similar explanation, and I like it. And then we have my friend Rosie's (completely made up) definition:
It's a medieval curse word meaning, "Goddammmit I stubbed my toe!" which over time came to mean, "Goddammit, stop killing the weebeasties!"Shur, why not?
Question #2: The conundrum that is "non-dairy" soy cheese that still isn't vegan. What is that mysterious milk protein that the industry is just so hooked on? That's right kids, iiit's CASEIN! Casein is what makes dairy cheese do that funky stretchy elastic thing. This is apparently a desirable trait. So they isolate this protein and throw it into a soy cheese and expect it to act the same way that dairy cheese does. Does it? No. Does this really do anything but make this a stupid, non-vegan category of fake-healthy product? No. But you know, that's OK, foolish icky caseinfilled cheesemakers, we have Follow Your Heart and Teese, not to mention Tofutti for our cream cheese and sour cream needs. We need not your casein nonsense.
Question #3: They make shellac from WHAT now? Yes, it's bugs. You thought it was only silk that came from bugs, didn't you? Didn't know they're actually FEEDING YOU BUGS, did you. But they are, oh yes. Where? Well, mostly on candy. Why do we force feed our children the most terrible things? High fructose corn syrup, gelatin in the form of gummy candies and jello, and of course the bugs. Ah yes, but I must explain. You see, shellac is made from the secretions of the female lac bug. Now you're thinking, isn't shellac what they put on wood paneling and stuff? Yeah, that too. But it goes under another name: confectioner's glaze. Doesn't that sound sweet? Here's my favorite bit from the Wikipedia entry on the subject: "This coating may not be considered as Vegetarian as it may, and probably does, contain crushed insects. In the tablet manufacture trade, it is sometimes referred to as 'beetlejuice' for this reason." Simply charming!
Insects are used for many human purposes, above and beyond the making of fancy cloths and shiny candies. One of my Vegan Etsy team mates was kind enough to share this story with me of a firsthand experience:
I went to Mexico and visited a place where they made natural dyes -- one of which was carmine (another byproduct of a scale insect). The owner asked if I would like to see the insect they used, and being a lover of bugs, I couldn't say no. He dropped a tiny white bit of fluff in my hand. And as I was holding it and trying to figure it out, he abruptly smushed it into the palm of my hand with his thumb, leaving behind a smear of what looked to be mammalian blood. :*( This craftsperson used some kind of vegetable or fruit (wish I could remember what it was!) to clean their hands of all the dyes, and it sat in a big tub of water. As I was cleaning off my carmine blood with the soapy vegetable, I noticed a really cool Mexican roach (it was totally different from the creepy ones we get here) taking a mis-step and landing in the water. The craftsperson watched in horror as I scooped it out with my bare hands (it was a fairly sizable insect) and set it free.Johanna, you're a braver soul than me.
Question #4: Veganize it, and get those eggs outta here. Who doesn't love vegan baking? Trust me, when it's good, everyone loves vegan baking! And you don't even have to find already vegan recipes - you just have to learn to veganize it. When baking, there are plenty of options when it comes to replacing eggs. The type of recipe often determines what your best replacement option is. Cookies? Flaxseed meal and water all the way! It makes the cookies chewy and delightful. The secret there is to mix it in a vegetable chopper for a few minutes. For muffins and loaves, I like to use soy yogurt. And for some things like waffles, we find that Ener-G Egg Replacer really does work best. Other options include apple sauce and bananas, though go into it knowing that your end result will be a bit fruity. Sometimes this is a very good thing!
One respondent gave what I believe to be a home recipe for egg replacer, except without measurements: tapioca, potato starch, baking soda, xantham gum, water and oil. Perhaps she'll be so kind as to provide them? That'd be awesome, says I.
Everyone was in agreement on this one I think. Hooray for unanimity!
Question #5: The dangers for a vegan at an Indian restaurant. Everybody pretty much nailed this on the head the first time. Why? Because Indian food is awesome! And vegans can eat at pretty much any Indian restaurant as long as we know what to avoid. Some of the biggest culprits are ghee (clarified butter), paneer (a sort of soft white farmer's cheese) and raita (a cucumber yogurt sauce). There is also cream used in many dishes, but it's usually noted simply as cream so it's much easier to spot. If you're interested in making some vegan Indian food at home, this web page might entertain you as well as getting you started.
Yes, everyone came up with the same three or four answers - everyone, that is, except for my friend Thom. He came up with "eggs". And I was all, what the hell Indian food has eggs in it? And he was all, naan. And I was all, nuh uh. So then he sent me a recipe. Naan with eggs! I knew that it was sometimes (OK frequently) made with ghee, so it's pretty much off the list anyway. But eggs? That was a big surprise. Learn something new every day, I guess.
So there you have it. Questions answered and prizes won. Hopefully a good time had by all, and a thing or two learned. I certainly enjoyed reading all of your responses. A big thanks to everyone who participated - I hope you enjoy your prize packs! That is, as soon as I get them mailed. ;)
Until next Monday,
hearts,
Melissa Bastian.
Monday, July 20, 2009
This is a test... A CONTEST!
But still, indeed, a test. That's right, pop quiz hot shot. Time to show us all what ya got. Here's how it goes.
Step one: send an email to me, Melissa Bastian, at bastian613@gmail.com with the correct answers to the following five questions.
Step two: POST A COMMENT on THIS blog entry letting me know that you've sent answers. You must do both of these things to qualify.
Now here's the really terrific part. Ready? EVERYONE who both responds correctly to all five questions *and* posts a comment here on this blog gets a prize!! What will that prize be? It's a surprise prize! Something from Bright - maybe a pin, maybe a zine, maybe a sticker, probably a little piece of Vegan Etsy swag - who knows. The point is, everyone's a winner. And who doesn't love winning? Heck, for that matter, who doesn't love snail mail?
Now, for the challenge. Some of these will be one word answers, and some may require a sentence or two. If you want to elaborate further, go for it! If I get any really exceptional answers I'll post them next week. You have until Sunday the 26th at 11:59 p.m. to email me with the correct responses.
Let the best everybodies win!
Question 1: What is the origin of the word "vegan"?
Question 2: What is the animal protein, usually derived from milk, that makes so many soy cheeses and other "non dairy" products not actually vegan?
Question 3: What non-vegan source is food-grade shellac frequently derived from?
Question 4: Name three possible substitutes for eggs when "veganizing" a baking recipe.
Question 5: As a vegan eating in a vegetarian Indian restaurant, name two common ingredients that you might be on the lookout for.
Go!
Step one: send an email to me, Melissa Bastian, at bastian613@gmail.com with the correct answers to the following five questions.
Step two: POST A COMMENT on THIS blog entry letting me know that you've sent answers. You must do both of these things to qualify.
Now here's the really terrific part. Ready? EVERYONE who both responds correctly to all five questions *and* posts a comment here on this blog gets a prize!! What will that prize be? It's a surprise prize! Something from Bright - maybe a pin, maybe a zine, maybe a sticker, probably a little piece of Vegan Etsy swag - who knows. The point is, everyone's a winner. And who doesn't love winning? Heck, for that matter, who doesn't love snail mail?
Now, for the challenge. Some of these will be one word answers, and some may require a sentence or two. If you want to elaborate further, go for it! If I get any really exceptional answers I'll post them next week. You have until Sunday the 26th at 11:59 p.m. to email me with the correct responses.
Let the best everybodies win!
Question 1: What is the origin of the word "vegan"?
Question 2: What is the animal protein, usually derived from milk, that makes so many soy cheeses and other "non dairy" products not actually vegan?
Question 3: What non-vegan source is food-grade shellac frequently derived from?
Question 4: Name three possible substitutes for eggs when "veganizing" a baking recipe.
Question 5: As a vegan eating in a vegetarian Indian restaurant, name two common ingredients that you might be on the lookout for.
Go!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Vegan Etsy Team Members Love to Share!
We love to share with animals, each other, and even people we might not know on the internet. Which is good news for you because we have some awesome blog giveaways going on!
Holistically Heather's monthly blog giveaway is hosted by Starrlight Jewelry this month, swing on by Heather's blog to enter and win a $15 gift certificate to Starr's etsy shop!
Veganessa is having an awesome giveaway in their blog, and 2 winners will be chosen! First prize will receive a $15 gift voucher and second prize will receive a $10 gift voucher to Veganessa
Vegan Craft Samples is having a giveaway for a free Vegan Sample Bag on their blog. Help give Vegan Samples a catchy fun name, and win!
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