Tag Archives: food

Vegan In Miami Beach 

Hey!!! Is it fall already? Where did the time go?? Happy Autumn Season!! 

So my birthday was in mid September and I decided to go on vacation with my girlfriends for a few days in Miami. Before I got to Miami I was concerned about finding vegan restaurants and if the food would actually taste good. Well, I am here to tell you that the vegan food in Miami is absolutely amazing. I enjoyed every single moment of beautiful weather and delicious food. Here are a few places I tried and I would highly recommend going there:

This photo is not the property of thevegandiva.com
  DIRT  (232 5th st)

DIRTeatclean is a farm to table restaurant hence the name. I had the pleasure of going there about 3 times that’s how much we loved this place.

I had the Bombay Bowl. The Bombay Bowl’s ingredients: arugula, roasted curried cauliflower, cucumber, fine herbs, butternut squash cashew “cream”, golden quinoa, extra virgin olive oil.

Nutritional facts: CAL / 450 PROTEIN / 15g FAT / 16g CARBS / 66g

This photo is not the property of thevegandiva.com
  Plant Theory (744 6th St)

Plant Theory is an all plant based vegan restaurant with gluten free raw food options & gluten free cooked food options. This restaurant is very conscious about what they serve to the public. I’m very happy to have come here because you can literally ask the staff any questions on where the food comes from, the most popular items and they’ll gladly answer your questions. One of the lovely staff members suggested the Phyliss Cheezesteak Burger. 


Ingredients: thin strips of bell pepper, onion, portobello mushrooms in our piquant marinade, topped with melted cheddar cheeze and special SOS sauce.

Please visit these two wonderful vegan/vegan friendly restaurants. You won’t be disappointed. I promise! 

Dealing With Vegan /Plantbased Haters…

Before I thought about going vegan, I never turned my nose up to those who were vegans. I just knew at that time my will-power was low and I was ill-informed. When you lack the proper knowledge of certain things you tend to turn your back against it. I know many people who act very ignorant when they think of the concept of veganism. Why do I care? I care because not only are our generations becoming morbidly obese, the food is losing its nutrients due to hybrid seeds. People wonder why at times I go so hard to spread “health peace” but they still walk around eating at McDonalds/BurgerKing/Wendy’s/Applebee’s. Every week there is a new discovery of harmful ingredients at these fast food chain restaurants. For instance, have you not seen the nasty Halloween Burger from Burger King?

blackburgerkinghalloweenwhopper
Halloween burger ( This photo is not the property of TheVeganDiva)

How is this acceptable in our country? Why are people still purchasing things like this and not protesting against these companies? Spend your money on things that will elongate your life. Why would you feed your children this garbage? Their tiny bodies are not meant to digest these poisonous objects. This isn’t even real food. Can we be a bit smarter folks???

 

This photo is not property of TheVeganDiva
 
We have a lot more access to healthy foods than other people and we should take full advantage of that. Some places can be expensive but I am sure many can find cheaper stores. Learn how to budget when spending money on groceries. Learn how to food prep that will help you out so much.

Dehydrated Apples & Kale (Meal Prep)
         Dehydrated Apples & Kale (Meal Prep)

Let’s wake up and take action by eating properly. Peace 

TVD Kitchen: Biscuit Burger

Hello Readers,
Ever since I became vegan I do have cravings for veganized foods. Lol. I love food so much I have to satisfy my cravings. I grew up in a West Indian household so burgers weren’t apart of our culture. Honestly the only time we would eat burgers was during the summer at our family barbecues. So it was pretty much a treat for us growing up. 
Anyways so I came across Beyond Meat few years ago and I have been using their products ever since. Beyond Meat is an all meat-free gluten free non gmo company that produces mock meats for vegans. They have soy options and non soy options as well. My favorite products is their Beef Crumble (soy free) and Southwest Chicken Strips (soy based). A few weeks ago I came across this Beastly Burger (soy free/gluten free/non gmo) via Instagram and I said to myself, “Girl, you need to find this ASAP” so I went to Whole Foods yesterday and found it!!!
I give you my Gluten Free Garlic Biscuit Burger. 
    
  
AMMMMMMAAZZZZINGLYYYY DEELICIOUSSSSSSSSS…. That is all. 
Ciao. 
-TVD

Vegan Diva Returns…

Hello Readers,
It’s been awhile since I’ve written a post. A lot has happened over the past year. I am now ready to rededicate myself to this lifestyle. We must remember when we are struggling with anything that we aren’t alone. Someone is always willing to listen. It’s never a bad thing to ask for help. There are tons of apps where you can get some type of support and even sign in under anonymous so your name is private. A cry for help is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember that! 
 I know at times we start building unhealthy habits when we are depressed or going through rough times but remember it’s only temporary pain you’re enduring. No pain lasts forever. Find something that makes you happy so that it will keep you focused. I know I am not perfect and I was sidetracked thus leading me off the vegan lifestyle for awhile but after coming to terms with my issues I’m ready to share my vegan recipes and experiences with you all again. Thanks for being patient with me since I haven’t posted in a very long time. I’m happy to be able to share my physical and mental journey with others who may be going through the same thing. See you next post. 
Peace & Love
    

As the great and late Aaliyah once said: “Dust yourself off and try again…” 

TheVeganDivaCooks Breakfast

The McGriddle Sandwich

Hey Foodies!!! So, the other day I was craving a McGriddle sandwich but obviously I cannot eat that preservative and artificially meat based sandwich from McDonalds. I kept thinking to myself how could I make this happen while also being on a budget. I really wanted to make this and show people when you veganize certain foods, the outcome is great health wise. So, I went to my local health food store and bought organic pastry flour, vegan non-soy sausage, Daiya cheese and some organic extra firm tofu.

Now onto the recipe:

McGriddle Bread
1-2cups of Pastry Flour
1/2 cup of water
2 Tbsp of Raw Agave Nectar

(Don’t Forget to add Baking Powder)

McGriddle Batter
McGriddle Batter

Make sure when you are making this batter that it has a thick consistency but don’t overdo it! Place the batter mix into the pan by using three 3Tbsp for each slice of McGriddle bread.Once you are finished you will need a few more things for the next step:

For the tofu you need to cut it in thick “egg-like” blocks, sprinkle turmeric powder till the entire block of tofu is completely yellow.

Tofu Egg
Tofu Egg

Then sprinkle some chili powder over it then place it in a hot skillet with organic Olive oil. The sausage comes in a casing but when you take it out just slice it down the middle vertically and place it in a hot skillet using Organic Earth Balance butter till it becomes brown on both sides.

Vegan Artisanal Sausage
Vegan Apple-Sage Artisanal Sausage
Organic Earth Balance Butter
Organic Earth Balance Butter

Stacking Your McGriddle

First, get a plate and sprinkle some Raw Agave Nectar onto the middle of the plate. Place one slice of your bread onto the nectar that you have on your plate. Next, add your tofu-egg. You can add either one or two pieces. This really depends on your palette. After this I melted my Daiya cheese with my Organic Earth Balance butter in a skillet until it gave me a thick consistency then placed it on top of  my tofu-egg. Finally, we add the Apple-Sage Sausage, drizzle more Agave Nectar then place the bread on top

and

VOILA!!!!!

Vegan McGriddle vs Meatbased McGriddle
Vegan McGriddle (top) vs Meatbased McGriddle (bottom)

 WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MY VEGAN MCGRIDDLE? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!

Vegan Lunch in Harlem

The food you love, veganized. Is Seasoned Vegan’s motto. 

As you walk in you are drawn by the Harlem neighborhood mural inside of the entrance.

Harlem Night Sky Mural
Harlem Night Sky Mural
Seasoned Vegan Fruit Basket Mural
Seasoned Vegan Fruit Basket Mural
The Harlem Seasoned Vegan Stoop
The Harlem Seasoned Vegan Stoop Mural

Seasoned Vegan is known for their veganized soul food which was created by Mrs. Beener. Mrs. Beener and her son Aaron Beener are the owners of this vegan restaurant. Mrs Beener started cooking and eating vegan food for over 20 years. This restaurant serves a different theme of food on a daily basis (Tuesday-Sunday), they aren’t opened Mondays. I commend the Beeners for raising awareness by opening this vegan restaurant in this Harlem community where the “chicken spot” and food that is drenched in genetically modified artificial colors, trans-fats and high fructose corn syrup; which is known to be extremely detrimental to your health aiding in cancerous diseases. 

Now onto the Food Review:

Mac N' Cheese x Broccoli x "Fried Shrimp"
Mac N’ Cheese x Stewed Fish x Broccoli x Fried Shrimp

This dish was very different in comparison to what I usually have at SV. The fried shrimp which is made from organic fermented soy, has an interesting taste but still gives you the flavor of real shrimp. The stewed fish blew my mind. Mrs. Beener you have done it once again!! Mrs. Beener’s stewed fish is made out of fermented soy with seaweed as the “skin” on the sides. Her recipe is reminiscent of actual fish my mum would make on the weekends. It smells and tastes like real fish. I love the fact that Mrs. Brenda Beener can capture the flavors of non vegan food into vegan food. I’ve been to many vegan restaurants and they lack flavor in all honesty. If a lot of these places added more flavor and seasonings into their recipes they would have a lot more non vegan customers as well as potential vegan eaters as well.

Vegan Lunch Closeup
Vegan Lunch Closeup

 

 

Crawfish x Spinach Salad x Spinach Pesto Mozzarella Pasta
Crawfish x Spinach Salad x Spinach Pesto Mozzarella Pasta

That crawfish is MMMMMMMHMN GOOD and I need this recipe because the seasonings make you feel as if you’re eating seafood. It’s made out of burdock root (a rooted vegetable) which has a lot of health benefits such as: anti-inflammatory and stunting the growth of cancer cells. I really enjoyed eating this dish because the spinach pesto pasta was just amazing. The Daiya cheese blended in so well you couldn’t tell if it was dairy or not. Thank you Katie for making this pasta, it was BOMB.COM

Vegan Mac N' Cheese
Vegan Mac N’ Cheese

I am absolutely head over heels over the Mac N’ Cheese at Seasoned Vegan. This is one of their staple dishes at Seasoned Vegan which is a best seller. People come in wanting and craving the Mac N’ Cheese every day.

I’m so happy to be working at a place that is found in an urban community. People of color need to eat healthier. Brenda and Aaron are doing a fantastic job in bringing the community together to eat well-seasoned delicious vegan food that is made with love.

Please come visit at: 55 Saint Nicholas Avenue (West 113th Street) New York, NY

Veganism & Depression

B12Vegan
B12Vegan Photo by veganhousewives.com  

Veganism is a great lifestyle to adapt to. The health benefits are great and you lessen the chances of heart disease if you follow the appropriate veganism lifestyle. I never mentioned this to anyone but when I became vegan, the first few months were great. My body responded very well to this new lifestyle. As each day went on I noticed at one point I became depressed and filled with anxiety. I was wondering why I was feeling so lethargic because the first few months I was feeling great and happy. I started doing some research and talking to a few doctors. I knew prior to that those feelings I was having were symptoms of depression.

Say No To Depression
Say No To Depression

During that time I was hospitalized and the doctors ran some tests on me and my vitamin D was significantly low as well as some other vitamin levels. My doctor stated I needed some sort of dairy and meat. At that point I knew that I had to take it into my own hands.

Vitaminb12 Benefits
Vitaminb12 Benefits

Self-research is always important because you know how well your body responds to certain things. I found many articles on vegans and their need for extra doses of Vitamin b-12 and Vitamin D. Within those articles, I also read there are millions of people that have low levels of these vitamins. Many dairy products allegedly contain these vitamins but with the cost of your health. When you lack vitamin b-12 you also deal with the chances of memory loss, fatigue and other body harming stressors. The only way to up the levels of your vitamins is to consume fortifying plant based foods such as: hemp milk, nutritional yeasts, nori, seaweed and other holistic green foods. You can also purchase vitamin supplements but be cautious of the synthetic vs non-synthetic vitamin supplements. Always do your research prior to purchasing anything. There are way too many synthetic supplements in stores that will prevent you from really getting the proper nutrients you need from them. Let’s come together and help each other gain the proper knowledge and nutrients so that we can live longer. I want to lessen the amount of heart and mental disease issues in our country so spreading the word is just the first step.

Stay tuned….

Operation Happy
Operation Happy

Eat Healthy & Live Life

It’s been a year and four months since I’ve become or classified myself as a vegan. This may have been the best decision thus far in my life. Being vegan is fun. It helps me enhance my creativity. I’m able to take a variety of foods and create something with pizzazz and spice.

VEGAN FOOD IS NOT BORING!

Vegans can create healthier alternatives of your favorite junk foods, for instance: bacon cheeseburgers, chicken and waffles and ice cream.

Veggie Burger
Veggie Burger This photo is not property of The Vegan Diva
Veggie Chicken and Waffles
“Veggie Chicken & Waffles” This photo is not property of The Vegan Diva

 

In this day and age, people aren’t getting enough nutrients due to their poor eating habits (especially in America). Americans love eating fast food, thus having the highest heart disease rate in the world. So what can we do to prevent this?

Tomatoes

Suggestions:

  • Monitor what you eat daily/weekly
  • Incorporate more vegetables and fruits in your daily diet.
  • If you do eat meat/fish: try baking instead of frying. Add natural spices and herbs (not Sazón)
  • Go to the doctor monthly to test your blood sugar levels, heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol.
  • Beware of foods that are high in fat and very greasy.
  • Exercise to keep the body, blood and heart healthy.

In reference to exercising: Don’t think just because you exercise and still eat fast food it won’t affect you. What you consume and the artificial ingredients will still latch onto your organs, slowly making them sick.

Let’s start eating healthier so that we will live longer and breed a healthier generation.

Fruits, Veggies