Dish it out.

We vegans love to eat! And with all the celebrating of food that we do, it's no surprise that we also like to do it in style.

Teamie Jeanette Zeis creates and sells beautiful "vegan" dishware in her shop Vegan Dish. Got non-vegan roommates? Here's an easy way to say, this bowl is mine. And around the office, you can proudly proclaim that your coffee is creamed with soy!

Add this to your Halloween basket: Vegan Caramels! Meet:

Please welcome our very new teamie, Nicole of Feed Your Face! She's creating amazing gourmet vegan caramels in delectable flavors like Pumpkin Spice, Mulled Apple Cider, and Spicy Dark Chocolate. How could your Halloween be complete without them?? Check out Nicole's awesome selection of goodies and don't forget to make her your new favorite!

Limited-time-only Halloween sea salt caramels!

Pumpkin Spice Caramels from Feed Your Face

Get ready for your VEGAN HALLOWEEN!!

Everyone loves to have a scary time on Halloween! But what's a bit too scary is the ingredients used in many store-bought candies. You can avoid the frustration by buying handmade goodies from the Vegan Etsy Team!


Pumpkin Whoopie Pies from Veganville!












or Scotcharoos from Sweet V Confections














And what's halloween without some decorations? Check out these adorable plushies from Panda with Cookie!













Kitties love Halloween too! Let them celebrate in style with this festive kitty bed from Luna's Apawthecary.













And finally, don't forget to give yourself a little bit of flare! This adorable pumpkin pin from Vegancraftastic should do the trick.

Happy Halloween!

World Farm Animals Day, part 3: for the Pigs!!

Protecting the Pigs by Julia Feliz

Vegans make a choice to refrain from as much exploitation as they can in a world that is not so kind to animals. These days making that choice is incredibly easy - with the never ending supply of recipes and products readily available to suit any palate.

However, it is important to recognize that vegans do it for non-human animals, who would otherwise live horribly short lives as “things” to be sold to uneducated consumers. Consumers have a choice each and every time they make a purchase. These choices greatly affect the lives of non-humans, such as pigs; by choosing vegan we reduce demand for animal products and ultimately spare lives.

Why should you care? Here are a few good reasons:

• With their extreme intelligence, pigs can respond to verbal communication. (C. Croney, Oregon State University)
• Pigs don’t just give up; they persist until they achieve the results they have set out to accomplish. (S. Held, Bristol University)
• Although pigs have small brains, they are incredibly fast, “one-trial learners” - which means they can learn something from doing it a single time without any practice. (Held)
• Pigs can also communicate their preferences and choices. (S. Curtis, University of Illinois)

These are just a few of many examples that demonstrate how alike non-humans are to humans, regardless of their physical appearance or inability to speak our language. Vegans choose to care and to live as cruelty-free as possible because non-humans, like pigs, are not so different to us.

We consider this kinship each time we make a meal. We hope that this Baked Barbeque Tofu recipe will inspire you to think about your choices and moral code. It is so simple to forgo that “pork” and spare so many lives - here’s your chance to learn how and get started!

Baked Barbeque Tofu by Neva Davis

Ingredients:
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 2 Tbs olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic crushed
• 2 tsps chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tsps chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 8oz can crushed tomatoes in sauce
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbs smoked sea salt (you can add more or less salt according to your taste)
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp cracked red pepper
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 Tbs corn starch
• 2 lbs Extra firm tofu, drained and cut into squares

Method:
• First, make your sauce. Brown onions in olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan, then add crushed garlic and rosemary. Saute lightly and add crushed tomatoes, maple syrup, salt, red and black pepper and mustard powder. Mix and simmer.
• In a measuring cup, mix water and vinegar. Then whisk in the cornstarch until it's dissolved. Slowly pour the mixture into your sauce and stir.
• Simmer until it starts to get thick. Add parsley.
• Turn off heat and allow to cool.
• Pour over tofu squares in a refrigerator container with a lid. Seal and allow to marinate over night.
• Place tofu and sauce in a baking dish and bake at 350 for approximately one hour. Check periodically to make sure it's not burning.

Serve with corn bread and steamed collard greens for an authentic southern-style meal!

To learn more about the amazing world of pigs, please check out Pigs Peace Sanctuary.

World Farm Animals Day, part 2: for the Chickens!

Make a Change for Chickens by Julia Feliz

When someone goes vegan they have the potential to reduce demand for farm animals, and ultimately save the lives of those animals which would otherwise have lived a torturous existence. This is one way in which veganism is a great way to stand up against the exploitation of non-humans.

One such group of non-humans are chickens – exploited, kept in horrid conditions, separated from their young before birth, and ultimately killed for their bodies and their unfertilized eggs. Sensitive humans know that chickens are much more than just products or objects to be used by people. For instance, did you know?:

• Avian brains are very similar to human ones and process information in much of the same way. (L. Rogers, University of New England)
• Chickens, and all animals, make memories. (L. Rogers)
• Chickens can learn to count and do geometry. (Vallortigara et al, University of Padua)
• Baby chicks learn behaviour instead of acting on instinct. (Kaplan, University of New England)
• Chickens have highly developed communication skills. (Kaplan)

Vegans choose to live as cruelty-free as possible because, like other animals, chickens are not so different to humans. We consider this each time we make a meal. We hope that this Un-Chicken Flu Blaster Soup will inspire you to think about your choices and moral code.

It is so simple to forgo that chicken and spare so many lives. Here’s your chance to learn how and get started!

Un-chicken flu-blaster soup by Neva Davis

The real reason people suggest "chicken soup" for flu is that the hot broth soothes throats and airways and helps open up the sinuses. I've created a vegan version that also provides lots of antioxidants and vitamins. This has water-cress in it, which is a superfood containing a ton of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients. However, any greens will do.

Ingredients:
• Vegetarian vegetable bullion, 3 cubes
• 4 cups water
• 1 16 oz package of extra firm tofu (cut into little cubes)
• 1 package of watercress, washed and chopped (or sub spinach - you can add more or less greens according to taste)
• 1 handful chopped cilantro for garnish (if you don't like cilantro, use basil or parsley, or leave off entirely)
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped into pieces
• 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
• optional: garlic cloves, to taste

This recipe is extremely simple, and you can change almost any element of it to match your taste. For example if you love garlic, you can add fresh garlic.

• Step one: put your bullion, ginger, garlic (if using), and water in a soup pot and heat slowly until simmering.

• Step two: Once the bullion is dissolved add your tofu and bring back up to a simmer; allow it to simmer for 15 or 20 minutes.

• Step three: Turn off heat and add your greens and tomato pieces.

• Step four: Scoop into bowls while still hot and sprinkle your garnish over the top.

Eat to your health!

Today is World Farm Animals Day! Part one: for the Cows!

Today we celebrate World Farm Animals Day. Many more people have become aware of the plight of farm animals in the past few years, and there is much debate about what to do to alleviate it. Vegans have of course made the choice to boycott the industry that exploits them.

Some people think that this is a "sacrifice" - which couldn't be further from the truth! Vegans not only enjoy a sound mind, but also enjoy fantastic meals. Below, you'll find the collaborative effort between team members Julia of JF Illustrations and Neva of Neva Jewelry and Art, providing a great example of how you can love your cow and eat well too.

* * * * *

The Case for Cows by Julia Feliz

Although quite tasty and satisfying, veganism is much more than a recipe. It is a lifestyle that stands up against the oppression and exploitation of non-humans. When someone goes vegan, they have the potential to reduce demand, and therefore save the lives of animals which would otherwise have lived a torturous existence.

Why does this matter? Here are some interesting facts about cows and all farm animals to consider:

• Cows and other community farm animals “exhibit a similar moral code to humans”. (D. Broom, Cambridge University)
• Cows choose a leader through their intelligence and not through their strength or dominance (B. Dumont, French National Institute for Agricultural Research)
• Cows also make democratic decisions in their community (Dumont)
• Cows feel pain and are affected by each other’s emotional state (Dr. A. Boissy, INRA)
• Cows make informed decisions, and can even learn to “read” (Boissy)

Vegans choose to live as free from cruelty as possible because non-humans, like cows, are not so different to us. We consider this each time we make a meal. We hope that this Beefless Burgundy style pot roast will inspire you to think about your choices and moral code. It is so simple to forgo that “beef” and spare a life. Here’s your chance to learn how and get started!

Beefless Burgundy-Style Pot Roast by Neva Davis

Supplies:
• glass baking dish with lid
• cutting knives and cutting board
• garlic smasher
• whisk
• frying pan
• measuring cups

Ingredients:
• 1 package Gardein “beefless tips” (or substitute seasoned tofu or seitan)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup red wine (use any vegan type you like, even last night’s leftovers)
• 1 stem fresh basil (chopped)
• 3 stems of fresh Italian parsley (chopped)
• 1 cube vegetarian vegetable bullion (Rapunzel makes great ones)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ onion, chopped into small pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 3 small potatoes cut into chunks
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 8 crimini mushrooms, sliced

Method (sauce):
• In a pan, brown the chopped onions in olive oil slowly over medium heat. Add garlic once the onion starts to turn golden.
• Add your wine slowly and let it cook down and get somewhat thicker. Dissolve your bullion cube in the wine.
• Meanwhile, using a whisk, mix your flour and water together in a bowl to create a slurry. Then slowly add this mixture to your pan.
• When it starts to look thick and translucent, your sauce is done.

Method (beef{less}):
• In a baking dish mix together your mushrooms, carrots, gardein chunks, and potates.
• Pour your sauce over the top. Keep in mind that as your mushrooms cook they will add more liquid to your dish.
• Bake at 350 for one hour with the lid on, and then remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes to brown slightly on top.
• After you remove your dish from the oven test your potatoes with a fork to make sure they are tender.

This is a very forgiving dish to make - you can use vegetable broth instead of bullion, add more or less salt to your taste (the bullion here is my salt), use whatever herbs you like, and since the gardein is pre-cooked, you can speed up your baking time by microwaving your potatoes and carrots ahead of time. If you use the microwave to speed up your time, cook your mushrooms in with the sauce, and reduce it on the stove top, then bake uncovered for ½ hour.

Happy eating!

Happy Vegan T-Shirt Day: Meet Eat your VegTees and Rare Tee Clothing!

We're excited that, for this Vegan T-Shirt Day, we can introduce you to some new teamies that are making excellent vegan t-shirts!

Cameron of Eat Your VegTees and Catherine of Rare Tee Clothing are two of the newest members of the Vegan Etsy Team. They're creating some truly awesome t-shirts and other fashionable items, while simultaneously providing AR education, donating proceeds to animal-related causes, and promoting a vegan message. These new teamies really epitomize what the VET is all about! Please make sure to check out their shops and show them some love.

Eat Kale Daily shirt from Eat Your VegTees

Philippines Tarsier Tee from Rare Tee Clothing

HAPPY VEGAN MOFO 2011!!!

Hooray for the fifth annual Vegan Month of Food! Every year vegan bloggers all over the world take a month to celebrate vegan food, and we call it Vegan MoFo. This year, the Vegan Etsy Team will be blogging every day during Vegan MoFo.

Appropriately enough, our theme is... The Foods of Vegan Etsy! We'll be telling you all about the wonderful foodstuffs made and sold by Vegan Etsy Team members, as well as sharing our own personal recipes and more. So stay tuned, enjoy, and GO VEGANS!