Thanks to everyone who subscribed this blog! We are working on launching a shiny new website, and we have a new journal that is part of that! I just made our first post on it, which is food reviews from our March vegan pop-up shop in Morristown.
Check out and subscribe to our new blog our New Jersey VegFest website.
The Laundromat Bar will be the venue for Morristown’s first vegan pop-up shop on Sunday, January 29. 20 vegan-friendly vendors will be serving up delicious vegan meals and treats, selling vegan and eco friendly products and clothing. The vegan pop-up shop stage will feature two local musicians, Disseriph and Young Legs.
The event is free, but you can get a $5 “Cut the Line” ticket in advance on Eventbrite. All ticket sales goes to support the work of the Animal Protection League of New Jersey. This is a 21 and over event.
Sullivan Street Press, who is working a vegan guide to New Jersey to be released at the October 2017 New Jersey VegFest, will be there with author Vance Lehmkuhl. Vance is author of V for Veg: the Best of Philly’s Vegan Food Column and Eating Vegan in Philly. If you have a favorite vegan-friendly sport in New Jersey, be sure to stop by and ask them to include it in their vegan guide to the Garden State.
Vendors include:
New Jersey VegFest. Early bird tickets for the October 2017 New Jersey VegFest at the Meadowlands Expo Center will be available. Vendor and sponsorship applications will be available as well as details on other upcoming vegan-friendly events.
Freakin’ Vegan. Freakin’ Vegan is the collaboration of two brothers with decades of culinary experimentation, forty plus years of vegetarianism, and almost two lifetimes of food obsession. They create flavorful and satisfying food using only simple, natural ingredients. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Homemade Betty. Vegan and organic skincare. All products are made in small batches and the company is dedicated to discovering the best ingredients and suppliers for wholesome and beautiful ingredients. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Grape Cat Vegan Clothing & Accessories. Grape Cat’s mission is to offer attractive, functional products that people can buy with peace of mind knowing that all of our products are fair trade, vegan, eco-friendly, and causing the least impact on the environment with human and on-human animals. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Compassion Company. Animal rights activist owned and operated, Compassion Co. provides shirts that allow people to announce their cruelty free lifestyle to the world. They believe that the best way to affect social change is to lead by setting a positive example and creating opportunities for conversations with others. They want everyone to feel proud about where their clothing came from at every point during production. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Fresh Press Juice Co. Fresh, raw organic juice bar. Their banana whip was the smash hit of the 2016 New Jersey VegFest. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Mo’Pweeze Bakery. Mo’Pweeze Bakery features dairy, egg, nut, gluten/wheat, soy FREE, vegan gourmet cupcakes. They are currently planning to open a store front in Denville. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Rockin’ Raw. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Rockin’ Raw is a mix of Peruvian and New Orleans-Creole style cuisine made in the raw vegan realm. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Chia Star. Chia Star is a Certified Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Nutrient Dense Beverage… And Wildly Delicious!! A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Fogwood & Fig. Offering a unique and delicious experience in plant based comfort food.
Chocolate Calling. Handmade, organic, vegan, fair-trade chocolates. A 2017 New Jersey VegFest Vendor.
Aya’s Natural Treasures. Plant based Artisan Vegan bath & body products that are essential to your every day life. Specializing in Organic Body Butters, Soaps, Body Scrubs & more.
Tamerlaine Farm Animal Sanctuary. A Northern New Jersey Farm Animal Sanctuary. Tamerlaine Farm has a line of vegan hot sauce as well as clothing and accessories.
Creature Comforts Stationery. Creature Comforts NYC is dedicated to changing the world for animals through art.
Planet Oils. Jason Carlucci is an activist and organizer, as well as the owner of Planet Oils. Planet Oils is about Creating and Sharing Wellness, purpose and abundance using Young Living Essential Oils.
The Vegan Nest. Will be serving mōca, the most popular hot beverage in every country around the world. Capomo is the common name for the MAYANUT, a superfood native to Brazil, as well as a few other Latin American and Carribbean island countries. Capomo is a healthy, delicious food that can be eaten completely, including its leaves and seeds, and it can even be ground to make Capomo bread. It just happens to taste like coffee when it is prepared as a beverage, and depending on how it is specifically prepared, it can also taste like cinnamon, chocolate, or even a rich tasting mocha tea.
Try Vegan, debut of clothing line. Try Vegan is a popular vegan food truck, but at the vegan pop-up shop they will be featuring their new line of clothing.
Hello friends of New Jersey VegFest! We wanted to talk a little bit about our hopes for why we do this and a program we are launching.
When we launch tickets in January 2017, we will have a program set up for vendors so each vendor has a ticket code. You will be able to use that code to purchase a ticket and then the vendor has one of two options. Five dollars from every ticket sold using a code will be set aside and each vendor can either pick a non-profit to donate that money to or they can choose to apply it to the costs of being in the New Jersey VegFest.
We believe that a huge part of our mission is making New Jersey a more vegan friendly and compassionate place to live. We believe that supporting the non-profits that do that real work for animals, health and the environment is important. We also believe, as people who live here in New Jersey, that supporting the small businesses that are working hard to make our lives easier and change the culture of New Jersey is important.
If we manage to sell out the Meadowlands Expo Center, which can hold 10,000 people over the two day event, that would mean $50,000 going directly to the people who are working to make New Jersey better for all of us and we think that would be pretty freaking awesome.
Here’s the second of our fashion and style blog posts! Many thanks to Nancy Ehrlich for doing the research so we can all look great this winter! If you want to share a post about fashion, style or veg-friendly living in the Garden State, we would love to hear from you too!
What to do, what to do…the leaves have changed color, you smell autumn in the air and what comes to mind? Boots! An
kle boots, knee hi boots, calf length, boots of all sizes with all sorts of flair. But wait, you’re vegan and you know the stores will be chock full of leather. Yuck. But don’t despair, there are plenty of cruelty free options for you out there and with our help, you don’t need to look far.
Many of us have been so used to shopping vegan online stores and feeling limited to what they offer but it looks like so many manufacturers are finding it’s probably less expensive to use synthetic materials. Either way, for cost or not, we are happy for the cows.
Believe it or not, many of the large department stores have tons of options for non-leather boots and shoes. Typically you will do better in the more “discount” type stores such as JC Penney’s, Kohl’s, Boscov’s, Sears and Payless. I recently found these beauties in Sears of all places. They are stylish, affordable and yes, all synthetic. Many were on sale for only $40.
I’ve also purchased quite a few pairs of boots in JC Penney’s. It was hard to even find a leather boot there. Pretty much every pair I checked the label on had that “music to my ears” declaration of “All Man Made Materials”.
Here’s one of my favs I got from Penney’s:
I have to admit, I feel a bit “biker chic” in these which is kind of fun.
Be sure to check out Zappos.com too and search “vegan boots”. Zappos has free shipping and free return shipping, so order away. Last time I ordered 3 pairs of shoes knowing I would return 2. It was super easy and I got to walk around in my home feeling them out which is way more comfortable for me than walking around a store with a sales person hovering over you.
Wherever you shop, know that you are not alone. We are a growing number of animal lovers who just outright refuse to wear someone else’s skin!
Last year, I wrote up a blog post about where to get your vegan Thanksgiving dinner in New Jersey and this year, immediately after the October 2 VegFest, I asked everyone for their Thanksgiving menus and then I promptly put it off again and again.
Being vegan at Thanksgiving is sort of weird anyhow and this year we had the added emotional roller coaster of the election season to add to any possible family dramas we can look forward to over the holidays. While trying to face up to writing this pretty simple blog post, I kept running into these mental blocks.
What I do know is that over the last year, we have discovered many amazing communities of activists and optimists that are working really hard in New Jersey to make the world a better place. When I think of the people who worked to get the word out about the New Jersey VegFest, all the stories our volunteers shared over the last year about why they were involved and all people who happily staffed their booths and those who came out for the festival, it’s hard not to feel like we have a pretty amazing community willing to help each other up when we need it. As we head into the next month or so, if you find an event or want to plan one or just want to connect with other nice people, we are here to happily share whatever it is and to cheer each other on to keep on keeping on.
Here’s where you can get delicious vegan food for Thanksgiving in New Jersey to help you keep on keeping on this season.
Make it yourself. You can get a copy of Mos Know Best: The Perfect Vegan Thanskgiving for $4.99 and thankfully it also includes tips for surviving the holidays. Co-written by Dr. Ethan Ciment, who was on the Future of Food Panel at the New Jersey VegFest.
Get it to go and still make it yourself. VegTable is offering a holiday baking box and a holiday celebration box, which will make visiting far and wide easier and happier! If you are heading home to visit, just order one of their holiday boxes delivered and you can make up freshly baked cinnamon buns or seitan and herb stuffed squash. You should probably order two boxes, because you know everyone is going to eat your stuff. Just saying.
Ethos Health in Long Valley is having a special pre-Thanksgiving Doctor’s Farm market on Saturday, November 19, 9am-2pm. Get your arugula, braising greens, Chinese cabbage, kale, sweet potatoes and garlic and herbs before you hit the kitchen.
Sponsor a turkey. Sponsor a turkey at Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue.
Gobble and Groove at Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Join the nice folks at Catskill Animal Sanctuary and serenade the turkeys before sampling some delicious food by Chef Sara. November 19, 11-3pm. Tickets available in advance.
9th Annual Gentle Thanksgiving Dinner. God’s Creatures Ministry will be hosting a full course compassion Thanksgiving dinner by Chef Steve Walljasper on Saturday, November 19 at 4pm. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Oakland, New Jersey. $35 for adults. (Registration is closed, but call 973-694-5155 to try to charm your way in).
Cafe Diem. is offering a vegan gluten free Thanksgiving menu that includes creamy cardmom-scented butternut bisque and siracha Brussels sprouts. The main course is maple-mustard tempeh over pumpkin risotto and for dessert there is an assortment of cookies or raw vegan vanilla cheesecake. Order here to pick up in Tom’s River between noon and 7pm on Wednesday, November 23.
Cinnamon Snail. The Snail is offering pickup in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken and Red Bank. Their menu is gigantic this year, and includes white truffle mac and cheese, curried butternut squash pastries, french mustard grilled seitan cashew cheese tarts and other fancy stuff sure to please. Order by November 20.
Dean’s Natural Food Market. The Dean’s in Chester had a an amazing vegan Thanksgiving tasting that I went to, but I didn’t get any pictures because I was busy eating. SO GOOD. Check out their menu which includes SIXTEEN vegan options, like mashed sweet potato with maple pecans, homestyle stuffing, pumpkin risotto, mushroom gravy, autumn beery pie and pumpkin pie. Order by November 17. Locations in Chester, Ocean Township, Shrewsbury, Basking Ridge.
From Seed to Sprout. The Seed to Sprout Thanksgiving Catering menu includes herbed tempeh, marinated greens, creamy coconut yam soup and raw pumpkin pie and about a million other options. Order by November 18.
Good Karma Cafe, Red Bank. Good Karma was one of the most popular things at the VegFest and they are offering a wide variety of entrees, sides and desserts this year. The menu includes pumpkin lasagna and cranberry chutney. Order by November 21.
Greens and Grains; two locations Northfield and Galloway. Their catering menu serves 10-12 people and includes mashed potatoes or stuffing with gravy, turk’y cutlers, cheezcake and green bean casserole. Order by Monday, November 21 at 6pm.
Living on the Veg in Beach Haven has a Thanksgiving catering menu featuring Butternut squash bisque, roasted tempeh with mushroom gravy, apple “sausage” stuffing and more. Call (609) 492-4066.
Loving Hut Ledgewood. This Saturday, Loving Hut Ledgewood is offering a vegan Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 7:30pm. The buffet includes vegan turkey and sides like organic potatoes, chili nachos, spring rolls and more. $16.95 prepaid or $18.95 and $9.50 for kids under 10. Please RSVP, 862-2514611.
Rockin’ Raw. Rockin’ Raw in the city, but for everyone who tried them out at the New Jersey VegFest knows they are worth the trip! They will be open on Thanksgiving from 11am-6pm and on Friday, 1-7pm. Check out the details on the menu, reservations and ordering in this super helpful Facebook post.
Shankara Vegan Restaurant, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Chef Wendy Landiak is offering a meal including all the fixings with gluten free options available. You can pick from homemade seitan with baby bella mushroom gravy, coriander mustard baked tofu or vegetable stuffed pumpkin and choice of pie, cake or cheesecake for dessert. $45, place your order by November 20 by emailing shankaravegan@gmail.com or calling 484-821-7434. Can deliver to New Jersey.
Veganized Foods, New Brunswick. Veganized is hosting a Thanskgiving feast for $50 a person, BYOB.
Whole Foods. The freezer aisle at my local Whole Foods features holiday selections Gardein, Field Roast, Tofurky and more. Check out their catering menu which includes vegan options like green beans with shalots, vegan dinner for 1 and lemon cranberry quinoa.
We had a million requests this year to bring higher-end fashion and lifestyle products to the New Jersey VegFest; some people even asked for a fashion show. We weren’t really able to deliver on the runway, but we asked if people would be interested in blogging about vegan items they love that have a New Jersey connection–like they bought it in a great store here or it is made in New Jersey or the people who designed it grew up in the Garden State. Our first product review came through less than a day later. Many thanks to Melissa for sharing what she knows about vegan products with a New Jersey connection.
Hello everyone, my name is Melissa and I am a passionate cruelty free/vegetarian writer slash IG addict. I write reviews on products, share cruelty free and vegan brands, and even do a series called, Meet The Maker, where I do a Q&A with owners/creators behind the brand. Writing is my #1 passion, but ever since changing my lifestyle 6 years ago to being vegetarian, it has become a combination of both.
When I first went vegetarian, I didn’t really think much about the products I was using. I was vegetarian 4 years before realizing that I was still not being fair to the animals, due to the products I was using on a daily basis. I joined a cruelty free community on Facebook, and the rest is history. For years I was told to start a website and talk about beauty and lifestyle products, but never felt passionate about it. That wasn’t until I realized that I was extremely passionate about the cruelty free lifestyle and saving the animals. You can read all about my journey here.
One of my FAVORITE brands, is a cruelty free, vegan and even gluten free perfume
company. The company was created by 2 brothers, one went to Princeton, the other to Harvard, which created the name Harvey Prince. They began their journey by making a custom perfume for their mother, as a Mother’s Day gift. They are no longer working with the company, but their vision, creation and brand still lives on, out of Totowa, New Jersey.
I have a huge collection of their perfumes and especially love when they have their monthly scents. These are always limited to that month and never return. My favorites have been Baciami and Parisienne from the limited one and from their regular line, Eau So Divine, Cherie Blossom and Madagascar Vanilla are my top! They always have deals and specials, so I HIGHLY recommend you sign up for their newsletter.
At the moment they have 3 specials; buy any mini roller, for only $3 and get the second free (plus shipping) CODE: 2MINI, 40% off plus free shipping CODE: SALE40 and lastly, get both of the new monthly perfumes for $3 each (plus shipping) CODE: NEWHP.
We asked our volunteers to share something about why they wanted to volunteer at the New Jersey VegFest and we are so glad we did. Hearing so many great stories about who is helping out really helped us love this event even more. Today’s featured volunteer is James Canas. I think this is our final profile we can get up before the VegFest, but I think it is a one to end with.
My name is James Canas and I recently found out about this through my friend. I just 
recently started doing a vegan diet literally this week (mind you I have failed every day so far sadly). I am an overweight veteran and I enjoy to cook so I also wanted to open my culinary cook book of what I know I can make with new things and healthier as well. As requested on the website I am sending a picture as well. I really want to learn more about this kind of lifestyle and would like to volunteer for the break-down and closing shift.
Chef Fredy’s Table. Way back in January, Chef Fredy Umanzor gave an interview to the Daily Record about how he thought offering vegan options were one of the top food trends for 2016. Chef’s Fredy’s table is moving into a new, expanded space at 78 Speedwell Avenue right now and not open this weekend, but they have menu options ready for their when they re-open! Here are some of the options Chef Fredy’s will have on their menu:
Glassworks Studio. Glassworks Studo is a fused glass studio where you can create your own works of art; you create the design and they will take care of it in the kiln. Glassworks is hosting a Veggie Workshop on Saturday, October 1, from 5-7pm. They will teach you to cut class and you will learn to make the veggies of your choice! Choose from over hundred different projects; this workshop is perfect for the true veggie lover. You can register in advance on Glassworks Website. Located at 151 South Street, lower level.
The Grapeful Palate. The Grapeful Palate on the corner of Elm & South Street is our go-to store for wine and craft beers and for New Jersey VegFest weekend, they have a selection of vegan wines available. Don’t get what might not be vegan about wine or beer? Check out Barnivore which has done the checking of your favorite brand for you. Located at 166 South Street.
Just Jersey. This local favorite for gifts and goodies means it when they say Just Jersey. The store only carries goods created by New Jersey makers. They have a large selection of items that you might want to check out and that are vegan-friendly, including soy candles, hot sauces, jewelry and clothing. Located at 163 South Street.
Morristown Running Company. The Morristown Running Company is hosting a run on Sunday, October 2, at 9am. Donations will go to 911 Dog and Cat Rescue. This is not a race, but a 3-5 run exploring Morristown The Morristown Running Company is located at 31 South Street.
Loving Hut Ledgewood. Loving Hut Ledgewood will be at the VegFest, but they are close enough to Morristown to head over there on Friday or Saturday for lunch or dinner! The Loving Hut has a 100% vegan menu includes mac & cheese, pizza, subs & sandwiches, pasta, stir fried rice, desserts and more! Loving Hut is located at 538 NJ-10 in Ledgewood.
Pure Pita. Pure Pita will be serving up their dips at the VegFest, but you can also head over to their restaurant at 27 South Street for falafel and hummus, lentil soup, and their quinoa and rice bowls.
Saigon Subs & Cafe. Saigon Subs and Cafe just opened up and features Tofu Banh Mi! Make sure to let them know you are vegan and to leave off the mayo and then order the mango pudding vegan too.
Smart World Coffee. Our go to coffee house for soy lattes! They also carrying Chia Star drinks, make amazing dairy free smoothies and honestly are just good people. You can find them at 74 South Street.
South & Pine. South and Pine is serving at the VegFest but they will be offering vegan options over the weekend at their restaurant at 90 South Street.
Tito’s Burritos. Tito’s Burritos has been offering vegan options since they opened in Morristown in December of 2008 at their location at 26 Washington Street. Here’s a list of vegan menu items you can get this weekend:
Whole Foods Morristown. Whole Foods Morristown has a wide variety of vegan options in their deli, salad and hot bars and throughout the store. They are also one of our local sponsors and will be at the New Jersey VegFest. You can find them in Morristown at 110 Washington Street.
This list is still being updated! It’s true! (as of September 29, 2016)
Movies
Speakers
Restaurants & Food Vendors
Vegan-Friendly Products, Clothing & Non-Profits
New Jersey VegFest 