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!
All of the places in Portland sound awesome- just another reason why it is on my list of places to visit!
I love Portland + The bean and rice chips!
Such cool places in Portland! I’m in love with those cocomels, too. ;0-)
Wow- it seems like Portland is a great place to be a vegan! An all vegan grocery store- that’s amazing! If only every city made it that easy!
I need those skinny measuring spoons- I always end up trying to pour spices out into the spoon…which just results in me pouring spice all over my counter. They would definitely come in handy!
Wow Portland sounds like an awesome Vegan friendly city!
This is awesome! I have been wondering how to get things into mason jars without spilling quinoa, beans and everything else all over the counter! Also, I am moving to Portland in about a month and cannot wait. I went to go to Portobello the last time I was there, and it is closed on Sundays! I will definitely hit it up and your other suggestions when I move. Did you go to Voodoo Doughnuts? I had to ask my boyfriend a million times, “I said VEGAN, right?” The vegan doughnuts are insane!
those narrow measuring spoons are PERFECT! i always have to use my 1/4 tsp to get into spice jars, it would be nice to have these so if i need a tsp or more, i can get it in there, rather than measuring out 4 1/4 tsp ;)
The Cocomels are good. I like the coffee and the sea salt flavors.
I am off to try and find the Bare balms now!
How come the girl behind the counter at Prasad has no head? lol
I noticed that too, and wondered if I was missing something, somehow… I wanted to look through the comments to see if anyone else noticed! Isn’t that a funny photo?
white owl social club’s build-your-own-s’mores are vegan? i’ve never found a s’mores treat in a restaurant that had vegan marshmallows!
Wait…..what happened to the woman’s head in picture 8? Thanks for the laugh. I assume that she is just super hunched over but it does look pretty funny…
Those s’mores are calling my name! Oh man, now I want to visit Portland badly, thanks for the insight!
oooh a new chapstick to try!! :)
I have to get that funnel! You wouldn’t believe how much stuff I spill. And I also, apparently, need to move to Portland. Those restaurants look amazing! If there were more of those, people wouldn’t associate veganism with deprivation. (You’ve heard it: “I have a friend who’s vegan- all she ever eats when we go out is lettuce and a baked potato with nothing on it.”)
I was in Portland last October to run the Marathon….loved it! I ate at Portobello and Prasad as well. The “cheese” plate and ravioli at Portobello were delicious! Also visited Food Fight, bought some clothes at Herbivore and got a tattoo at Scapegoat (vegan, of course). Portland is an awesome city for a vegan!
Gosh I am loving all 11 of the things now I am going to half to make a few purchases! I was not planing on any but that wide mouth funnel and chips are defiantly calling my name.. I am glad you had a blast in Portland..
My husband and I are heading out on a cross country road trip this summer, so we’ll be sure to check out some of the vegan shops/restaurants in Portland you mentioned!
Hey Angela, if you are looking for corn-free chips in the Oakville area, try ‘Beanitos’. Longo’s carries them and they are amazing! They’re corn and gluten free (2 flavours aren’t vegan I think, but 3 are). The vegan ones are made from pinto beans, black beans and navy beans (the navy bean ones taste just like fried/baked corn chips!)
That toffee looks amazing. I wish I could try some of that :D Toffee is my weakness and its so frustrating that there aren’t more dairy-free versions made from coconut milk around. Hopefully soon.
I am loving those measuring spoons! I always make a huge mess whenever I am measuring spices :(.
I was excited to see that one of the candies was from Boulder since I’m going back for another degree there in the fall :) I love favorite things posts!