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.]
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…