1. Saigon Cinnamon
Last month I tried my first jar of Saigon cinnamon, and as you can probably tell, I really enjoyed it! Saigon cinnamon is stronger and more fragrant than traditional Ceylon cinnamon, so I find a little bit goes a long way. I just need to find it in bulk because these tiny jars were clearly not made for cinnamon addicts like myself.
[edited to add: Some of you brought to my attention that Saigon cinnamon may lead to liver damage. It contains coumarin which can be toxic in small amounts. I now buy Ceylon cinnamon (“true” cinnamon) which is considered to be a safer form of cinnamon without the potential effects on the liver.
2. Sauerkraut
Where have you been all my life? Can you believe this month was the first time I tried sauerkraut? For those who aren’t familiar, Sauerkraut is finely chopped fermented cabbage. Due to the fermentation process, it’s filled with healthy bacteria for a happy gut. I really wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did, but friends, it’s absolutely fabulous. I’m putting it on toasted sandwiches, veggie burgers, wraps, salads, and more. You know what comes next…making my own! I hear it’s pretty easy.
[photo via Chickpea Magazine]
3. Chickpea Magazine
I recently had the honour of being interviewed by the lovely Amanda Aldinger for Chickpea Magazine in this quarter’s Winter 2013 issue! Chickpea magazine is a whole foods, plant-based, 100% vegan magazine available in digital and print copies. Anyone who is familiar with this magazine knows the high quality content and photographs in each and every issue. I’m constantly in awe of the work they do and I couldn’t be happier to be featured. Thanks again to the entire team at Chickpea Magazine!
4. The Ghosts In Our Machine
I recently participated in a pre-screening of a new animal liberation documentary called The Ghosts In Our Machine (released this month!) which “illuminates the lives of individual animals living within and rescued from the machine of our modern world”. The documentary features the talented, inspiring, and courageous Jo-Anne McArthur, who is an award-winning Canadian photojournalist documenting the plight of animals in factory farms, the mink fur trade, animal lab testing, marine parks, and zoos across all 7 continents. Jo-Anne says her mission in life is to raise awareness about animal issues and to photograph the predicament that animals are in because of humans.
“I truly believe that it’s innate that we’re all compassionate and that if we are given the opportunity to care, we will.” ~ Jo-Anne McArthur
I can’t tell you the profound impact this documentary has had on me. I’ve watched it twice now and I’m telling everyone to go see it as soon as possible. To locate a screening in your area (or to request a screening!), see this page. You can view the trailer below:
Well, this is getting long so I think I’ll end on this note today. Hoping you take a moment today to remember those who gave their lives for this beautiful country. xo
[photo via Wikipedia under the Creative Commons license.]
Costco has Saigon cinnamon! Its not organic, but its a HUGE container, for about $5.
Cool, thanks for the tip! I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for it.
Oh man, I love that Bubbie’s sauerkraut. I go through a jar every couple of weeks on my own — I love using it instead of salad dressing on top of salad. It gives it just enough zip when mixed in to be the perfect topping. I also like a little on top of some avocado toast! :-)
Thank you for sharing about “the Ghosts in our machine”. I cried just by watching the trailer. I have to watch this.
Have some tissues nearby – it’s heart-breaking, yet inspiring all at the same time.
Angela, weird question–I thought you were Canadian? Or Canadian living in the US? I just wondered because of the last thought, which is an American holiday (or do Candians also celebrate it?).
I too love that brand of sauerkraut–just wish is wasn’t so expensive. My kids LOVE it too–funny, huh? I’ve found with kids, you just never know what they’re going to love..or hate.
Nov. 11 was the end of WWI–Canadians celebrate, too.
Yes- it’s Remembrance Day here in Canada today!
That’s so great your kids love sauerkraut. who knew?
My kids also LOVE nori seaweed. My husband thinks it’s the weirdest thing in the whole world :)
That got me wondering how many other countries mark November 11:
“Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th, according to the History Channel. Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.”
In Britain we observe both: the 11th November, AND the Sunday nearest to the 11th.
Ange, you’ve got to get yourself to Costco!! Their Saigon cinnamon is my all time fave and it comes in a Costco-sized container for like $4!! I go through heaps of it and love its spiciness… I’ve yet to find anything that compares. Congratulations on the magazine interview! That’s a new one to me but I’m going to check it out now. Happy Monday!
Lol just read the first comment – guess I’m not the only one!
How did I miss this at Costco? Will have to get some next time I’m there.
As other commenters have noted, Saigon cinnamon has been known to contain high levels of courmarin, which can cause liver damage. It has been restricted/banned in Europe. Ceylon cinnamon does not have high levels of the toxin and is supposed to be much safer. I have recently been reading about this since I have two containers of the costco stuff at home.
Thanks for the cinnamon tip! I’ll have to check it out since I’m a huge cinnamon fan!!
I haven’t had sauerkraut in a few years, but my grandma used to make the absolute BEST! Homemade always beats store bought!
Not all sauerkraut is created equal. I too became a fan when I first tried Bubbies Sauerkraut. It’s a bit pricy, so I tried a less expensive alternative. After a couple forkfulls, it ended up going down the drain. If you’re just getting started, I’d suggest spending the extra $$$ on the Bubbies.
That’s interesting…I would’ve assumed they were all basically the same! Thanks for the heads up. Have you ever made your own?
It was a flavor preference thing for me… like soy chorizo! I’ve thought about making my own, but the value proposition of just buying it won out. :-)
I grew up with home made sauerkraut. I prefer the store bought. :-)
I have been buying Saigon cinnamon without even knowing lately… it is MUCH stronger, I agree. I accidentally have dumped too much in my oatmeal… we buy ours at Costco!
Also haven’t thought about saukerkraut lately but have been hearing SO many good things. I always like it when I have it – I should just buy/make it more often!
I have never tried Saigon cinnamon, I am going to have to look for it!
The best cinnamon of all time, and available in bulk is from Penzy’s Spices: http://www.penzeys.com/. It may be a little more money but oh so delicious.
Good to know! Thanks
Hah-I accidentally just commented the same below! Penzey’s is a local company for me – their spices are AMAZING. Grocery store spices don’t compare.
I agree with the thumbs up for Penzeys spices! I have been using their Vietnamese Cinnamon for years. MUCH better! I find everything I make that I add one of Penzeys spices to is much better. They are fresh, economical, and make everything better!!
I’m a huge sauerkraut fan…again only in the last couple of months! Another food my mum convinced me was horrible and I LOVE it! Here’s a good post on how to make it! http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-easy-homemade-sauerkraut-in-a-mason-jar-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-193124
Isn’t saigon cinnamon the best? I can’t ever go back to the regular ceylon kind now. And also yes to Sauerkraut being unexpectedly yummy! Definitely make some, because I would love a good bacon-less Sauerkraut recipe!
I love Saigon cinnamon!! I also buy mine in bulk at Costco – it is such a great price!
Chick Pea magazine sounds like the coolest magazine ever!
Great Post!
xoxo
berrybloomxo.blogspot.co.uk
I can’t wait to get a hold of Chickpea magazine! Also, I adore that cinnamon!
Chickpea magazine looks awesome, and I love that you can get it digitally too :)!
Here’s a great use for sauerkraut: Hummus, Avocado and Sauerkraut Sandwiches! It sounds crazy and it is: crazy good! Also, mix it with guacamole for a surprisingly good dip. and the secret to good sauerkraut is to buy the kind without vinegar, the naturally fermented kind like Bubbies and Hawthorne Valley are far superior to the blah salty canned varieties. Loe your blog!
how did you know I’ve been making hummus, avocado, and sauerkraut toasted sandwiches? Maybe the best thing ever! hah
I just tried sauerkraut for the first time this year too! A local vegan restaurant in Cincinnati has a tempeh reuben sandwich with a locally made sauerkraut. Sooo good!
Sauerkraut is awesome! I’m from Holland and it’s a typical winter staple here. You can buy it all year round but we mostly eat it when the weather is getting colder. Just a few more weeks until sauerkraut season and I can’t wait! (yes I could totally eat it now but it just wouldn’t feel right).
Wow I need to see that documentary! Looks so intriguing! Thank you for sharing.
I LOVE Bubbies!
Glad you mentioned the film Ghost In The Machine. Breaks my heart, but this kind of conversation is so illuminating, because it helps spread awareness between people. So so glad you brought it to our collective attention.
I just tried sauerkraut for the first time this summer too – and it was actually that brand I tried. I loved it! I made my own a month or two ago and it was seriously so easy.
I only fell for sauerkraut a year or so ago, and I love it so much. We have a really great artisinal sauerkraut company at our local farmers markets, so that’s where I get it. SO delicious!
I love sauerkraut too! I used to eat it on reuben sandwiches all the time when I ate meat so I haven’t had it in a long time but it’s so good.
I’m always intrigued by documentaries that raise awareness to the food industry so I’ll definitely be looking in that one. Thanks for sharing!
I love sauerkraut and grew up eating it. My mom is Romanian so cabbage and sauerkraut were staples in our house. I often felt like the girl from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, though I did get “normal” American food just as often. Congrats on being named to the 50 bloggers making a difference list!
We have some raw sauerkraut from Sonoma county down here and it is to die for. Check out the different varieties in the cold section at WFM next time you are there. So many awesome flavors. DELISH!
Hi Ange!
Haha, sauerkraut actually is a typical German food (I am German) which has a long tradition – it was very cheap back in the years after World War II. However, in Germany it is typically served (cooked beyond recognition) with pork or sausages and mashed potatoes. Yikes…
I do like raw sauerkraut as a salad. Just mix it up with fresh pineapple chunks, finely sliced red onions and diced red peppers. Add salt, black pepper and agave to taste and enjoy!
Love,
Stefanie
I love cinnamon and also put it on everything!! I can’t wait to try this “Saigon” version! I’ve never heard of it before!
I was in Flanders a few weeks ago and walking near the grave sites of all the fallen soldiers in Flanders Fields gets me every time <3
You’ve got to watch for pasteurized and unpasteurized sauerkraut – some has live bacteria in it (great) but some of it has had the goodness zapped right out. It’s great to make your own so you know you are getting the lovely nutritious bacteria :-)
Anyone who is interested in making their own saurkraut should look up Summer Bock. She’s owns a saurkraut company in Olympia WA called Olykraut, and it’s amazing. She does classes online and in person. Intact this week she’s having a gut rebuilding conference that you can listen in on all about fermented foods and there health benefits, I hope you enjoy! And thanks for all the great recipes!
If you are a cinnamon addict (like myself!), you MUST try Vietnamese cinnamon! I get it at Penzey’s (not sure if they are outside the US or not – they make their products less than an hour from my house here in WI – but I think you can order online). A little goes a long way but it is by far the best cinnamon I’ve ever had and I am super picky!
Funny enough – I grew up in an entirely German family in a community that was about 90% German heritage and I HATE sauerkraut. I can’t even handle the smell! Now, spaetzle, beer, brats, and german dumplings are what I dream about but can’t eat (Celiac and don’t eat red meat/pork). I’m out of place at family reunions. :)
Wow, this entry had a lot of powerful stuff I will be using. I will definitely find a screening of the movie you mentioned and sign up for chickpea magazine!
I love sauerkraut! Thanks for the reminder, it’s been awhile!
Angela,
You have to try Vietnamese cinnamon. I think it is soooo much better than Saigon or Ceylon. They recently stopped selling it at Wholefoods but I found it at Vitacost. Let me know what you think.
Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. ;-)
I know that:) but for some reason the cinnamon labeled “Vietnamese” tastes different than “Saigon.” Not sure why
Sauerkraut is fantastic! I make a vegan reuban with tempeh with it that Is deeelicious! And thank you for the words and trailer on “Ghost in the Machine”. I don’t often send emails to friends and family on this topic, but I plan to on this film. It’s so true, most people would show compassion and pull over to rescue say an injured cat, dog, or bird. It’s sad that so many of these people don’t see, don’t want to see, or understand the horrific abuses and torture of animals they are supporting by eating animals and products of animals on a daily basis.
I almost just fell out of my chair! I work for the company that has produced all of the past Chickpea magazines! I personally printed and made thousands of them. Sadly we no longer work with them but I’m still thrilled to see the magazine on your blog! They have wonderful recipes and photography.
Small world heh :) Their stuff is ammmmazing
I bought the Fall 2013 issue of Chickpea Magazine and I loved it! I will definitely buy the Winter issue, I would love to see your interview :)
I love when you do your “What I’m Loving Lately” posts. Always fun to see what new, fabulous finds are out there that I have yet to try-never heard of Saigon cinnamon! I’ve had a kraut obsession for a while. And kimchee! Mmmmmm. Thanks for sharing!
I love Saigon Cinnamon- I got mine from Costco in bulk! :) What DOESN’T go with cinnamon?! :)
Not sure about this but in germany there was a big scandal because of unhealthy cinnamon a few year ago. We like to eat “zimtsterne“ (=cinnamon stars) in winter time which are full of cinnamon. And the amount of coumarin,which can cause liver problems, is much higher in asian cinnamon/cheap cinnamon than in the Ceylon one. That`s why zimsterne are made from Ceylon cinnamon only since a few years and there where warnings about not eating more than 3 a day and stuff like that.don`t know about the Saigon cinnamon because i have never heard of it, but maybe you`d like to check it, since you like like it so much ;)
Hope it isn`t the “bad“ one so you can enjoy it as often as you like!
Oh. my. gosh. I love sauerkraut. I often base entire meals around whether or not I can put sauerkraut on things. Sometimes… I just eat it right out of the jar. It’s a serious thing we have, sauerkraut and I…
Ahhh…
Literally 2 seconds after seeing your post, I ordered a yearly subscription to Chickpea. I’ve been looking for a high quality 100% vegan magazine so thank you for the tip. Can’t wait for your cookbook to come out!
Awesome :) I hope you love it!
Next you’ll have to try baking with sauerkraut. It’s wonderful in cakes, adding texture and moisture, but don’t worry, the flavour disappears. I’ve been making a sauerkraut chocolate cake for years. Yum!
Also, next time you’re in the States, you MUST go to Penzeys for spices. That’s all they sell! You’ll be so excited! They ship to Canada, but charge a huge sum to do so (last time I checked). However they’re in many major cities (including Portland, which is where I go). Here’s their website just to get you excited: http://www.penzeys.com/ If you know someone who lives in the US and could re-ship your order to you, you should try them.
Wow in cakes, for real?? Thats fun!
I’ll be on the hunt for a Penzey’s in Scottsdale while I’m there this week.
Scottsdale AZ? yes there is a Penzeys there. It is in a small strip mall but DEFINETELY worth the extra effort to find them. Not even Kidding Angela, you will LOVE this store! They have a jar with each spice that you can open and smell to get an idea of how good the spice is. You MUST go there!!
I’m going TODAY! soooo excited I can hardly stand it.
If you like sauerkraut … have you had kimchi? It’s Korean fermented cabbage, but it is spicy, and seriously the best food around!! I’m an addict. It’s a problem.
Wow. The trailer alone, for that film, is extremely powerful. I was in tears. Seeing the innocence of animals being ripped apart is heart wrenching, but I think true visual images of what is happening to animals is what many people need to see reality and want to help make a change. I already pre-ordered the film, and can’t wait to share it with others. Thank you for sharing.
I would avoid using Saigon cinnamon except for perhaps in baking. Saigon cinnamon contains coumarin, which is toxic. Stick with Ceylon if possible.
I have been searching for Bubbies EVERYWHERE since the first time I tried it a year ago. Only Whole Foods seems to sell it which is just too far away. I really hope that you make a homemade version soon and share the recipe! There are tons out there I’m sure, but they always make the directions so darn confusing :)
Making your own sauerkraut is super easy! I made my first homemade batch a few weeks ago: http://lizziefit.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/homemade-sauerkraut/. It’s colorful unlike the traditional store-bought stuff and my veggies could stand to be sliced a bit thinner next time BUT it still turned out pretty good :) I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I live in Pennsylvania (Lancaster County). Around here, pork & sauerkraut are the “good luck” foods to eat on New Year’s Day. Many people make their own sauerkraut & the homemade stuff usually tastes better than the commercially made stuff (go figure!). I don’t eat meat, so I don’t eat the pork, but I DO love sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.
I’m a total cinnamon addict too! I love the Saigon Cinnamon from Cost Co. it’s a large bottle for a great price. It isn’t organic, but it is delicious.
I recently fell in love with sauerkraut, too! I always buy the Real Pickles brand, which is naturally fermented without the use of vinegar. They make a garlic kraut, too, which is amazing!