It’s time again for another round up of things I’m loving lately. There’s so much vegan love to go around, so little time!
Hip, hip, hooray for…
1. Bare English & Co. Coco-Mint Lip Balm
Oh my, this lip balm is incredible. Not only does it keep my lips super moisturized (think body butter for your lips), but it’s tea-infused, organic, and vegan, made right here in Toronto! I spotted it at Organic Garage and you can find their list of store locations on their website.
Lip Balm runner up: HURRAW! Lip Balm (also fantastic)
2. Wide Mouth Funnel
This wide mouth funnel is from Lee Valley and it’s perfect for filling up my mason jars. It also comes with an attachment to make a smaller funnel width. Finally, an easier way to fill up those jars! Thanks to Eric for the thoughtful Lee Valley gifts. :)
3. Narrow Measuring Spoons
I’ve needed measuring spoons that are narrow enough to fit in spice jars for a while now. These beauties from Lee Valley do the job perfectly.
4. Beanfield’s Bean & Rice Chips
This was in the VVC swag bag and it was love at first crunch. I promptly inhaled the bag like a chip monster. They are vegan, corn-free (which is almost impossible to find when it comes to chips!), gluten-free, and have a decent amount of fibre and protein. Now I just have to try and locate them around here…
5. JJ’s Sweets Cocomels
JJ’s Sweets, hailing from Boulder, makes these tasty vegan “cocomels” with a base of coconut milk and other goodies. Not something I would eat frequently, but they are fun for a treat. I purchased these from Food Fight in Portland (see below).
6. Kure Juice Bar (Portland)
I squeezed in 3 visits here during my very short stay in Portland. I’m kind of obsessed with the place and the super friendly staff. Kure Juice Bar features fresh juice, smoothies, power shots, and acai bowls! What more could a guy or gal need?
7. Portobello restaurant (Portland)
My trip buddies Hannah, Lisa, Nicole, and I dined at vegan restaurant Portobello on Friday night. I had the cauliflower “steak” entrée served with a chickpea croquette, fennel, and tangy Chimichurri sauce. Absolute perfection!
8. Prasad (Portland)
I dined at Prasad once during my stay, but I would’ve loved to go back to sample more of the menu. Everything sounded right up my alley. Prasad features breakfast, soups, greens, bowls, smoothies, and wraps. You can just feel the love oozing out of this place as soon as you walk in. I had one of their delicious grains, greens, & beans bowls and it was the perfect comfort food on a rainy day.
9. White Owl Social Club (Portland)
A group of us went to the White Owl on Friday night to kick back and relax. White Owl has many vegan options on the menu (see Build Your Own S’mores below!) and they try to source as many products from local distilleries, wineries, and breweries as possible. A bit too chilly for the large outdoor patio, we cozied up in a roomy indoor booth for most of the night. Lovely atmosphere!
10. Food Fight Grocery Store (Portland)
This is an all-vegan grocery store in Portland. We laughed, we cried, and we drooled. I also stopped into Herbivore Clothing and bought myself a cute tee!
11. Allison’s Gourmet Vegan Toffee
This was my favourite treat in the VVC swag bag – and perhaps, one of the best vegan candies I’ve ever tasted. I know, I know I say that all the time, but this stuff is the real deal. It was my first time trying any of Allison’s Gourmet products and I have to say I was blown away by the quality and flavour. I can’t wait to try more. Thanks Allison!
Man, I really wish I had some of that toffee left. Unreal!
I will have to try these places! I am a new vega (about 1 year) and live in Portland! I am glad we could host your stay. It was so stormy all weekend!
Yes it was! My “travel-sized” umbrella was not up for the weather. The second time I opened it, the head popped off! lol
Firstly, I NEED that wide mouth funnel! I make such a mess when I try to transfer spices into my spice jars and grains into mason jars. And secondly, the Portland restaurants all sound fantastic! You definitely don’t have to twist my arm to go to a juice bar. And we both know how you and I are in grocery stores, so I’m pretty sure I’d require a few hours to explore Food Fight!
Yes you do – I can’t tell you how many spills it saves me. Well, I’m sure you know all about that!
That lip balm looks like heaven. I go through so much of it here in Colorado.
Your post makes me want to move to Portland! He he he.
I’ve had those Beanfield chips and they are incredible! The nacho version is eerily similar to Doritos. I got them in a Conscious Box I believe…
A mason jar funnel is one of the kitchen tools I use most! Maybe even more than my spatula. I never realized how much easier it would make my life.
Also Cocomels! They are the best caramel to ever touch my lips.
I LOVE Hurraw lip balm! I’ll have to search for the Bare one though… I have a bit of a lip balm obsession, but doesn’t every girl?! I also love those narrow measuring spoons, great for small spice jars!
I’ve been following all the posts and Instagram photos of VVC, I wanted to go so badly but Blend took priority. Hopefully I’ll be able to go next year :)
I’ve heard good things about the Blend retreat too! Looks like a fun time. :) Hopefully we will cross paths sometime soon!
Holy crap – that sounds like an insanely good trip! I’m heading to Portland in a few weeks and I’m glad you mentioned so many great places for me to hit up while I’m there =)
YOU have the best product recs! I bought the Flavor Bible based on your review and now I consult it regularly. And narrow measuring spoons? Brilliant. I don’t know why I never thought to look for them before!
Thanks Grace! I enjoy spreading the love around :)
I absolutely adore all things Portland! There are so many amazing vegan restaurants and even more restaurants that have huge portions of their menus dedicated to vegan options. I could easily eat my way through that city! Glad you had fun.
Isn’t that toffee amazing?!
I live in Portland and feel very fortunate that its such a vegan friendly city!
I want the lip balm and especially the toffee so bad! I wish we had a juice bar around here…you’re so lucky!
I’m going to be in Portland for the first time next month and I’m definitely going to try to make it to the places you shared here – they all look incredible!
I wish someone would come up with a “nacho” chip flavor that didn’t include free glutamates (MSG).
I got so excited when I saw the other flavors of Beanfields were MSG free. Nonetheless, my hopes were dashed again. Those contain Maltodextrin and Yeast Extract, which are both hidden sources of MSG. Maybe they are reading (ahem ahem) and will try some alternative flavorings!!!
I think we should open a Prasad in Oakville. I’m willing to clean the juicer.
xoxo
This is a lovely series. That lip balm looks yummy and oh my that Vegan truffle!
I’m such a sucker for lip balm – I need to try and find that one! And I love the concept of those measuring spoons. Perfect shape!
I just LOVE those “Things I’m loving lately” posts.. And of course, I wanna buy everything ahah!
I definitely need that wide mouth funnel. That is genius!! One of those things where you ask yourself why you didn’t think of it first.
Love the roundup, Ange! I’ve been trying to think of a way to create a vegan, gluten-free and soy-free Build Your Own S’mores so we can all enjoy the same experience here at home!
Essence of Life in Kensington Market carries four flavours of Beanfield’s. Make sure you let them know you love them though because they’re thinking of not stocking them anymore.