So I've established that Jimmy John's and their flavorless "avocado spread" and white bread subs can suck it, in my opinion. But what about other quick, "Dang it! I forgot my lunch again!" options?
The tour of fast options today begins with Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pastas.
I got their half veggie sub on wheat with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, spicy mustard, and vinegar (no cheese, mayo, or oil). With chips and drink, the total came to $5.80. It wasn't bad. Surprisingly, they had benches outside where you could eat. The one by my work has a pawn shop, tobacco store, tattoo shop, and a pre paid wireless / pager store all right across the street, so all your shopping needs would pretty much be taken care of if you went to this or similar locations.
I've also tried Quiznos' veggie on several occasions. I have to admit, I enjoy it a lot. I usually get one on wheat, no cheese, no mushrooms. They are generous with the coupons, but even with a coupon the total came up to around seven bucks (with chip and drink). Their sea salt and vinegar chips are awesome, but again, not vegan. A quick glance at the nutritional information suggests that even without the cheese, these sandwiches are fatty cakes - probably thanks in no small part to the black olives and guac. Yes, I know that's good fat and yada yada, but fat is still fat if you're worried about consuming too much of it.
Penn Station's veggie I have tried exactly once. I don't care that they have cut from real potato, or what the heck ever their marketing BS is, fries. Next!
So then we come back to good old Subway. You can get a foot of veggie sandwich for five dollars. They have the largest variety of breads, the largest variety of toppings, and the most available veggies (can I get a hell yeah for spinach?). The sandwiches are as low fat as you want them to be, and pretty tasty. Subway FTW.
Of course, if you're lucky enough to work near one, the grocery store really is the best "I forgot my lunch" option. I bought strawberries, sun dried tomato tortillas, tofurky slices, soy cheese, five bananas, a bag of baby spinach, and cherry tomatoes at Trader Joe's today for sixteen dollars and thirty five cents with tax. That's enough to make lunch wraps and a side of fruit for the week, at the cost of $3.27 a day.
TJs for the real win!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Jimmy John's Officially Sucks
I'll keep this post short, because the title really says it all.
There's a Jimmy John's fairly close to my work. Their website is great. There's a nutritional tracker that allows you to select ingredients and will show you the nutritional content of the sandwich as you add ingredients or take them away. Compared to veggie sandwiches elsewhere, Jimmy John's is pretty healthy (especially if you do it vegan style).
However, I've tried their veggie sandwich and the veggie sub several times now, and they just suck. I've tried them with and without cheese and mayo, added mustard, didn't add mustard....literally there is nothing you can do to fix this sandwich. I love that it has alfalfa sprouts and avocado spread, but the avocado spread must be made from some recipe specially designed to have no flavor what so ever. Next time I get hungry and I want a Jimmy John's sub, I'll just go buy a head of iceberg lettuce and bite into that instead.
So thumbs up for another franchise having veggie friendly offerings - thumbs down on the fact that it ranges from tasteless to tasting bad. Oh, and their sea salt and vinegar chips? Not vegan.
There's a Jimmy John's fairly close to my work. Their website is great. There's a nutritional tracker that allows you to select ingredients and will show you the nutritional content of the sandwich as you add ingredients or take them away. Compared to veggie sandwiches elsewhere, Jimmy John's is pretty healthy (especially if you do it vegan style).
However, I've tried their veggie sandwich and the veggie sub several times now, and they just suck. I've tried them with and without cheese and mayo, added mustard, didn't add mustard....literally there is nothing you can do to fix this sandwich. I love that it has alfalfa sprouts and avocado spread, but the avocado spread must be made from some recipe specially designed to have no flavor what so ever. Next time I get hungry and I want a Jimmy John's sub, I'll just go buy a head of iceberg lettuce and bite into that instead.
So thumbs up for another franchise having veggie friendly offerings - thumbs down on the fact that it ranges from tasteless to tasting bad. Oh, and their sea salt and vinegar chips? Not vegan.
Life is nuts
I have been neglecting the blog. My excuse: I have a lot of life stuff going on right now. Work is nuts right now as the end of the semester approaches. I am also in the process of trying to buy a house, which is eating into my time. Most importantly, baseball season has started, and I am obsessing over every pitch.
In short, I have a lot going on. So, dontsurrender is the newest contributor to this thing. Cokaru has been picking up the slack nicely, which I'm glad. She's awesome.
Okay, I'm going into south city to eat, sit in Mokabe's and grade, and look at a house later. Maybe I will finally go by Whole Foods in Brentwood and get some vegan pizza.
I'm thinking I will get at least one more author to this thing, hopefully: this rad chick named Kelly. She's cute, sweet, annoying, and vegan. She is planning on moving here soon.
In short, I have a lot going on. So, dontsurrender is the newest contributor to this thing. Cokaru has been picking up the slack nicely, which I'm glad. She's awesome.
Okay, I'm going into south city to eat, sit in Mokabe's and grade, and look at a house later. Maybe I will finally go by Whole Foods in Brentwood and get some vegan pizza.
I'm thinking I will get at least one more author to this thing, hopefully: this rad chick named Kelly. She's cute, sweet, annoying, and vegan. She is planning on moving here soon.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
You need to know......about International Tap House.
Check out this mess -
"500 Beers, 40 On Tap, 20 Countries, 1 Location. It's not only a slogan, its a committment. The International Tap House, or iTAP as friends call it, is built by beer lovers for beer lovers and those who want to fall in love with brews. If you are thirsty for a drab domestic beer you can find that at any old drab corner bar. We are your place for something outside the box. An Abbey from Antwerp, an IPA from CA, a Pilsner from Prague will fill the shelves of our reach-in cooler and flow through the tubes of our top of the line keg system. Other than a small smattering of wine, beer is it. We want to do one thing and do it well, every beer is poured in the glass recommended by the brewer. Beer is boss and we want to serve it in a space that is classy, comfortable and NEVER corporate. Tattoos and ties, laborers and litigators, Rolling Stones and Radiohead all mingle together over world-class, award-winning and classic-craft beers. Whether you drink-in or take-out we promise to change minds, excite palates and most importantly make friends. Come and join the revolution, iTAP...Beer, Cooler."
http://internationaltaphouse.com/content/view/12/27/
It's out in Chesterfield, but 500 types of beer to choose from? Wonderful. :) Now we know what to do after random trips to Vegadeli!
"500 Beers, 40 On Tap, 20 Countries, 1 Location. It's not only a slogan, its a committment. The International Tap House, or iTAP as friends call it, is built by beer lovers for beer lovers and those who want to fall in love with brews. If you are thirsty for a drab domestic beer you can find that at any old drab corner bar. We are your place for something outside the box. An Abbey from Antwerp, an IPA from CA, a Pilsner from Prague will fill the shelves of our reach-in cooler and flow through the tubes of our top of the line keg system. Other than a small smattering of wine, beer is it. We want to do one thing and do it well, every beer is poured in the glass recommended by the brewer. Beer is boss and we want to serve it in a space that is classy, comfortable and NEVER corporate. Tattoos and ties, laborers and litigators, Rolling Stones and Radiohead all mingle together over world-class, award-winning and classic-craft beers. Whether you drink-in or take-out we promise to change minds, excite palates and most importantly make friends. Come and join the revolution, iTAP...Beer, Cooler."
http://internationaltaphouse.com/content/view/12/27/
It's out in Chesterfield, but 500 types of beer to choose from? Wonderful. :) Now we know what to do after random trips to Vegadeli!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Earth Hour is this Saturday!
Hey kids! Turn your lights out for an hour this Saturday at 8:30pm.
http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php
http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php
Turn out. Take action.
Be part of this historic event.
March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time
World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.
March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Veg friendly ballparks
After all that talk about 20 dollar, 80 pound hambergers, it's nice to see that Chicago and St. Louis scored 5th and 6th on Peta's Top 10 Vegetarian Friendly Ballparks. Just in time for the start of the season! :)
U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox)
Talk about a year of pleasant surprises on the South Side! After a disappointing 2007, the White Sox are tops in the AL Central both on the field and in the concession stands, touting terrific vegetarian choices. ChiSox fans can select veggie dogs, Gardenburger, PB&J, vegetarian taco salad, veggie tacos, nachos with salsa, fresh fruit cups, or corn on the cob.
Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
If Tony LaRussa weren't such a great manager, we might offer this vegetarian dog-and-cat rescuer a job at PETA! Nonetheless, we're thrilled that Busch Stadium has one of the most stacked vegetarian lineups in baseball (probably thanks to Tony's influence). Cards fans can chow down on veggie burgers, vegetable stir-fries, fire-roasted veggie burritos, whole roasted corn, Mediterranean tapas, fresh fruit, vegetable crudités, or mouthwatering Harvest vegetable wraps (spinach tortilla wraps layered with grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted zucchini, roasted red peppers, lettuce, and diced tomatoes).
U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox)
Talk about a year of pleasant surprises on the South Side! After a disappointing 2007, the White Sox are tops in the AL Central both on the field and in the concession stands, touting terrific vegetarian choices. ChiSox fans can select veggie dogs, Gardenburger, PB&J, vegetarian taco salad, veggie tacos, nachos with salsa, fresh fruit cups, or corn on the cob.
Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
If Tony LaRussa weren't such a great manager, we might offer this vegetarian dog-and-cat rescuer a job at PETA! Nonetheless, we're thrilled that Busch Stadium has one of the most stacked vegetarian lineups in baseball (probably thanks to Tony's influence). Cards fans can chow down on veggie burgers, vegetable stir-fries, fire-roasted veggie burritos, whole roasted corn, Mediterranean tapas, fresh fruit, vegetable crudités, or mouthwatering Harvest vegetable wraps (spinach tortilla wraps layered with grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted zucchini, roasted red peppers, lettuce, and diced tomatoes).
Before...and after.
Gregatron told me that I couldn't be preachy and talk about how much more moral and high minded we are than omnivores. Bummer, right? :) But look at what these crazy omnivores are doing now!? Five thousand calorie burgers?
I found it amusing that as I was skimming over the news headlines tonight, two articles caught my eye right about the same time.
The first:
Mich. baseball park to offer 4,800-calorie burgers
Health and the attitudes we develop toward food is so complicated that I personally wouldn't even know where to start. Sadly, that the guy eating the 5k calorie hamburger just isn't going to be the same guy that reads that BBC health article. Or maybe he will be, and just not care.
I found it amusing that as I was skimming over the news headlines tonight, two articles caught my eye right about the same time.
The first:
Mich. baseball park to offer 4,800-calorie burgers
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Well, at least the salsa is low-cal. The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team, will be offering up major league cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories in an enormous hamburger being added to the menu this year at the Fifth Third Ballpark.
The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. That's a lot of dough!
The Grand Rapids Press reports that anyone who eats the entire 4,800-calorie behemoth in one sitting will receive a special T-shirt. Saner fans can divide it up with a pizza cutter and share.
The Midwest League team is a Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
And the second:
Death link to too much red meat
Scientists have produced new evidence suggesting eating lots of red and processed meat damages health.
They found big meat eaters had a raised risk of death from all causes over a 10-year period.
In contrast, a higher intake of white meat was associated with a slightly reduced risk of death over the same period.
The US study, featured in Archives of Internal Medicine, was based on more than 500,000 people.
“ The need is for a major reduction in total meat intake ”
Dr Barry Popkin
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Dr Barry Popkin
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
The researchers, from The US National Cancer Institute, found those whose diet contained the highest proportion of red or processed meat had a higher overall risk of death, and specifically a higher risk of cancer and heart disease than those who ate the least.
People eating the most meat were eating about 160g of red or processed meat per day - approximately a 6oz steak.
Those who ate the least were only getting about 25g per day - approximately a small rasher of bacon.
Conversely, those who ate the highest proportion of white meat had a lower risk of overall death, and a lower risk of fatal cancer or heart disease than those who ate the lowest proportion.
The researchers calculated that 11% of deaths in men and 16% of deaths in women during the study period could have been prevented if people had decreased their red meat consumption to the level of those in the lowest intake group.
Cancer compounds
The researchers said cancer-causing compounds were formed during high-temperature cooking of meat.
“ No one's saying that people should avoid bacon or burgers completely, but evidence tells us that cutting down on these foods can reduce the risk of dying from cancer and other diseases ”
Ed Yong , Cancer Research UK
Ed Yong , Cancer Research UK
Health and the attitudes we develop toward food is so complicated that I personally wouldn't even know where to start. Sadly, that the guy eating the 5k calorie hamburger just isn't going to be the same guy that reads that BBC health article. Or maybe he will be, and just not care.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Misusing the term “socialism”
We hear a lot about the term “socialism” these days. In the United States we have a fundamental misunderstand of what socialism is, and what it means. I thought I would write a few words to help clear up some misconceptions about this concept.
Socialism, properly defined, refers to the concept of collective ownership. This means that property is not owned by individuals, but rather communally. There are several different types of socialism. The primary form of socialism is state socialism, where government oversees collective ownership of property. This was primarily seen in places like the Soviet Union, but also to some degree in more democratic regimes. (The United Kingdom, for example, was a largely socialist economy, with government overseeing ownership of industry and coal mines, before Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party did away with this in the early 80s.)
Also, and many people may not realize this, but anarchism is a form of socialism. Anarchism calls for collective ownership without the presence of the state. If people cooperative decide to share property and not infringe on the rights of others, then that is, by definition, socialism.
“Wait a minute, how can you have socialism without government?” Well I’m glad you asked that question. I want you to pay attention very closely. Ready? Okay….
SOCIALISM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOVERNMENT!
Many right wingers try to distort what socialism is, to the point that every time a poor kid gets a discounted school lunch they decry “ZOMG that’s socialism!!!!11!1” This is wrong. Government programs, progressive taxation, labor and environmental regulations, and other things associated with being a well off industrial democracy that, at least to some degree, gives a damn about its citizens, are not, by definition, socialistic.
I’m not a socialist personally. I find the notion of socialism to morally appealing but highly impractical. However, I also don’t consider the term “socialism” to be an insult, which puts me out of step with what currently constitutes political correctness in the United States. I just wish we would use the term accurately! You can agree or disagree with how Obama is handling the financial crisis. I have my disagreements with him about several things. But he is attempting to save capitalism with government intervention (like the New Deal did) – he is NOT instituting socialism!
I wanted to hopefully clear up a little confusion on this point. The word “socialism” is thrown around haphazardly not only by ideologues with radical right wing agendas, but less nefariously by a national news media that is too self absorbed and lazy to pick up a fucking dictionary.
Socialism, properly defined, refers to the concept of collective ownership. This means that property is not owned by individuals, but rather communally. There are several different types of socialism. The primary form of socialism is state socialism, where government oversees collective ownership of property. This was primarily seen in places like the Soviet Union, but also to some degree in more democratic regimes. (The United Kingdom, for example, was a largely socialist economy, with government overseeing ownership of industry and coal mines, before Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party did away with this in the early 80s.)
Also, and many people may not realize this, but anarchism is a form of socialism. Anarchism calls for collective ownership without the presence of the state. If people cooperative decide to share property and not infringe on the rights of others, then that is, by definition, socialism.
“Wait a minute, how can you have socialism without government?” Well I’m glad you asked that question. I want you to pay attention very closely. Ready? Okay….
SOCIALISM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOVERNMENT!
Many right wingers try to distort what socialism is, to the point that every time a poor kid gets a discounted school lunch they decry “ZOMG that’s socialism!!!!11!1” This is wrong. Government programs, progressive taxation, labor and environmental regulations, and other things associated with being a well off industrial democracy that, at least to some degree, gives a damn about its citizens, are not, by definition, socialistic.
I’m not a socialist personally. I find the notion of socialism to morally appealing but highly impractical. However, I also don’t consider the term “socialism” to be an insult, which puts me out of step with what currently constitutes political correctness in the United States. I just wish we would use the term accurately! You can agree or disagree with how Obama is handling the financial crisis. I have my disagreements with him about several things. But he is attempting to save capitalism with government intervention (like the New Deal did) – he is NOT instituting socialism!
I wanted to hopefully clear up a little confusion on this point. The word “socialism” is thrown around haphazardly not only by ideologues with radical right wing agendas, but less nefariously by a national news media that is too self absorbed and lazy to pick up a fucking dictionary.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Confession time
Confession one: I like Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' for You" in a 100% non-ironic way.
Confession two: I do not devote nearly as much time to this blog as I should.
Confession two: I do not devote nearly as much time to this blog as I should.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Recruitage and a recipe
Well I am swamped for time. I will try to find ways to grow this blog, and am currently recruiting authors for this project. I have snagged one, and am in the process of trying to get others.
I figure while I'm posting I will share a recipe that I made, that that my (non vegan) mom absolutely loved. I started by sauteing half a medium/small red onion sliced, getting that going for a minute I added about 5 cloves of roughly chopped garlic. I did this until the onions were caramelized, then added a good bit (maybe about a cup?) of three buck Chuck (Charles Shaw) Cabernet, and decent splash of balsamic vinegar. I let that cook down a good bit (about halfway), and added a jar of Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Marinara pasta sauce. I brought that up to a low simmer on medium/low heat, then added the (drained) penne pasta I had been cooking to the pan. I stirred it all together and served with a side of salad. (I made some croutons earlier, which I added to a bed of mixed greens and my balsamic vinaigrette.)
Quick and easy recipe. Good for when you want a decent meal after you get home from work, but don't feel like making something extra hard. I specialize in those kind of meals.
I figure while I'm posting I will share a recipe that I made, that that my (non vegan) mom absolutely loved. I started by sauteing half a medium/small red onion sliced, getting that going for a minute I added about 5 cloves of roughly chopped garlic. I did this until the onions were caramelized, then added a good bit (maybe about a cup?) of three buck Chuck (Charles Shaw) Cabernet, and decent splash of balsamic vinegar. I let that cook down a good bit (about halfway), and added a jar of Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Marinara pasta sauce. I brought that up to a low simmer on medium/low heat, then added the (drained) penne pasta I had been cooking to the pan. I stirred it all together and served with a side of salad. (I made some croutons earlier, which I added to a bed of mixed greens and my balsamic vinaigrette.)
Quick and easy recipe. Good for when you want a decent meal after you get home from work, but don't feel like making something extra hard. I specialize in those kind of meals.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tidbits
So I am in New Orleans for a conference. There is a real lack of vegan options here, aside from Middle Eastern food. The place I went Thursday when I got here was decent. I hit the jackpot with a vegan waitress! But they didn't serve beer as they are a Muslim business. But that's okay -- if there is one thing that is easy to find in NOLA it's beer. Then I ordered delivery from the Pita Pit -- good stuff.
Nothing really much else to add. The conference is a bit boring but I did get to see a few people from my past (when I lived in the area).
I need to recruit some people to write for this thing. That is all for now I guess. Back in StL tomorrow, then back to work.
Nothing really much else to add. The conference is a bit boring but I did get to see a few people from my past (when I lived in the area).
I need to recruit some people to write for this thing. That is all for now I guess. Back in StL tomorrow, then back to work.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
First post
Where to begin?
I thought it would be a cool idea to start a St. Louis-area vegetarian blog simply because I have several friends in the area that are vegetarian.Having grown up in Mississippi, I am very thankful for living in a place with so many vegetarian options, as well as cool places like the Loop and the Central West End. A lot of people unnecessarily rag on the Lou, but I love it here. Sure it's not a perfect place -- the public transportation leaves a lot to be desired, there is relatively high crime, the Rams suck -- but there is a lot that is good about this place. Most of all there are some really cool people here.
Here is what I envision for this blog: there will be several authors that will write about... well, whatever comes to their minds. This might be vegetarian related stuff, but it doesn't have to be. Whatever would appeal to the St. Louis vegetarian community is fair game. This could be thoughts on animal rights stuff, a recipe, or a preview of the 2009 Cardinals (but I have dibs on that one!). What I don't want this blog to be is a preachy place where we talk about how much more moral and high minded we are than omnivores. There is already waaaaaay too much of this among the vegetarian community. Also, I don't want this to be a place where we preach to ourselves. We all know factory farming is fucked up, so why dwell on it? I would like this place to be a bit more light hearted and fun, and have a more positive emphasis.
Please feel free to comment, or if you think you might be interested in writing for this blog, let me know. I want this to be a conduit for what is already a pretty cool little community of grasseaters.
I thought it would be a cool idea to start a St. Louis-area vegetarian blog simply because I have several friends in the area that are vegetarian.Having grown up in Mississippi, I am very thankful for living in a place with so many vegetarian options, as well as cool places like the Loop and the Central West End. A lot of people unnecessarily rag on the Lou, but I love it here. Sure it's not a perfect place -- the public transportation leaves a lot to be desired, there is relatively high crime, the Rams suck -- but there is a lot that is good about this place. Most of all there are some really cool people here.
Here is what I envision for this blog: there will be several authors that will write about... well, whatever comes to their minds. This might be vegetarian related stuff, but it doesn't have to be. Whatever would appeal to the St. Louis vegetarian community is fair game. This could be thoughts on animal rights stuff, a recipe, or a preview of the 2009 Cardinals (but I have dibs on that one!). What I don't want this blog to be is a preachy place where we talk about how much more moral and high minded we are than omnivores. There is already waaaaaay too much of this among the vegetarian community. Also, I don't want this to be a place where we preach to ourselves. We all know factory farming is fucked up, so why dwell on it? I would like this place to be a bit more light hearted and fun, and have a more positive emphasis.
Please feel free to comment, or if you think you might be interested in writing for this blog, let me know. I want this to be a conduit for what is already a pretty cool little community of grasseaters.
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