"Urban Vegan" news and stories

An article in today's New York Times Dining and Wine section addresses the question of differing diets in relationships (just in time for Valentine's Day!). The piece opens with a vignette from Shauna James Ahern (aka the Gluten-Free Girl) about a man she dated before she met her husband, who ended things because he loved bread too much and she was unable to eat it. The article then moves on to tell stories of other relationships that ended because of diet differences, before giving examples of people who've been able to overcome their mixed menu situations (including Philly based Urban Vegan aka Dynise Balcavage).

I admit that I would struggle being in a relationship with someone who's eating style differed drastically from mine but I admire the people who are willing to be flexible and able to make it work.

How about you, Slashfood readers? Are you willing to be in a relationship with someone who eats a substantially different diet from the one you follow?

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Recently I've been hearing from some friends that while they want to eat better and more healthfully, they just can't seem to afford to make it a reality. I don't believe that healthy eating needs to be particularly expensive (okay, it might be a little bit pricier, but it doesn't have to break your budget). Our friend, the Urban Vegan, has compiled a list of 25 money saving tips for eating a better diet. These tips are geared for frugal vegans, but many of her recommendations can extend out to a variety of eating patterns and choices.

She reminds us that some kitchen appliances will eventually pay for themselves (her ice cream maker has been pulling its own weight for some time), that baking your own bread will save you money (try the No-Knead recipe if you are challenged by yeast) and that the goal should be (classic New England wisdom) to "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without."

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One of the universal facts of modern life is that there never seems to be enough time. Cooking often gets shoved to the side and we find ourselves nuking something frozen, eating yet another turkey sandwich or calling out for something that comes in a flat cardboard box.

Thankfully, the always creative Urban Vegan comes to our aid with her Autumn Express: 101 Simple Vegan Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less. She has a bunch of terrific and quick meal suggestions that will appeal to vegans and omnivores alike. A few of my favorites include #11, the Savory Bread Pudding, #17, the Inauthentic-but-Fast Dal and #33, Mushrooms and Grains.

What are your favorite quick autumn meals?

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I've always been a fan of baking with cranberries. I have a recipe for cranberry bread that I've been making since I was eight years old (which I'll post as soon as I make it this season) and I often use a combination of cranberries and apples in crisps and crumbles. I spotted this Cranberry Upside Down Cake over at the Urban Vegan on Tuesday and it called to me. It also has the added benefit of being a vegan recipe, perfect for those holiday gatherings with family who have dietary limitations (you could easily un-veganize it if you so desired).

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