VEGANOOGA

GREEN DRINKS: January 25

2012-01-22T07:27:00.001-08:00

In January, OCI is hosting GreenDrinks, which is a networking event for the environmentally conscious and like-minded folks of Chattanooga. Join us from 6-8pm for beer and wine, GreenLife hors douvres, and live music from some local talent.

Carpooling, riding a bike, walking, or any mode of transportation that lessens negative effects on the environment is encouraged.

Everyone is welcome.

OCI = 326 E Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

http://officecoordinators.com/news/january-green-drinks/

Walk for Farm Animals

2010-08-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

By participating in the 2010 Chattanooga Walk, you will be joining Farm Sanctuary, celebrity trainer Bob Harper, and thousands of people throughout North America in the movement for change and making a big difference in the lives of suffering cows, pigs, chickens, and other farm animals.

The Walk will begin at 11 a.m. at Ross’ Landing on the riverfront, located at 100 Riverfront Parkway. The Walk will be 1.5 miles in length and dogs are welcome to come along!

Your $15 registration fee entitles you to our limited edition 2010 Walk t-shirt, designed by vegan fashion house Vaute Couture. To reserve your shirt, please make sure to register by August 29.

http://action.farmsanctuary.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=18208.0

Mellow Mushroom Vegan Options

2010-08-12T05:25:00.000-07:00

NEW! at Mellow Mushroom Chattanooga

Baked tofu nuggets skewered with a teriaki & red pepper chili glaze with grilled cucumbers over mixed greens dressed in light sesame oil. $7 AND it's vegan!

And of course they have pizza with tofu, bbq tofu and sometimes tempeh. They need to up their pizza game with some Daiya vegan cheese though...just sayin.

Vegan Chef Chloe Coscarelli WINS The Food Network's Cupcake Wars tv series

2010-07-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

GO VEGAN CUPCAKES!!!

Absolutely no need to use eggs and dairy ever. Save yourself money and make vegan cupcakes. Deliciousness!

here's the winning recipe:
Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Greenlife purchased by Wholefoods

2010-06-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/pressroom/south/2010/05/07/whole-foods-market-and-greenlife-grocery-announce-deal-to-create-stronger-grocery-retailer-in-chattanooga-tn-and-asheville-nc/

Hoping this means more vegan deli, bakery and hot items!

TACO MAMACITA

2010-06-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

This just in from my awesome neighbor, Kenny:

Vegan Menu at Taco Mamacita!

They are located at 109 North Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Gonna have to try this one!!!

Daiya Daze

2010-05-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

Greenlife now stocks Daiya! We have kinda been listening to the Daiya Vegan cheese buzz for a year now, but only recently found it locally. One of the big problems with previous vegan cheeses is that they don't melt or if they do melt they immediately turn to stone. Non-Dairy cheese sauces can be easily made at home, but what if you want pizza or quesadillas? Daiya Daiya Daiya !!! We have only tried the mozzarella so far and are happy to report HAPPINESS.

.

2010-05-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

VEGAN: a compassionate way of living that seeks to avoid exploiting animals for any purpose. In dietary terms this means we don't eat animals, meat, chicken, pigs, fish, eggs, dairy products (milk or cheese), honey, or any foods derived from these. We also do not wear leather, wool, silk or other animal derived products.

Tofu Loves You

2010-01-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

welcoming our german friends to chattanooga!

Book Review

2010-01-15T07:36:00.001-08:00

Just bought this book a couple of days ago and couldn't put it down. A truly insightful read! The title might suggest a heavy handed animal rights argument. I avoid such texts and images. I prefer not to look at car accidents and don't need those images in my head. This book has a different approach to the subject of eating animals though ---and no photographs. The author spent 3 years researching the industry, visiting farms and gathering both industry facts and firsthand knowledge. Foer befriended animal farmers and presents the face of animal farming: science, technology, family farms, and factories. Both sides of the arguments are presented. Foer almost immediately points out that he didn't begin writing this book about being vegan or going vegetarian. He had flirted with and tried vegetarianism over the years while also consuming animals in his diet. He began his research for the book after his first child was born. Having children put pressure on his conscience to know what he should feed his son, tell his son and why. When we think of farms, we might imagine a pasture, barn, animals roaming within a fenced area, a farmer, etc. Unfortunately, that model only accounts for less than 1 % of animal farming. The majority 99% is large warehouses, minimal regulations (for both sanitation & general conditions), and insane amounts of environmental pollution.

This book is for both vegetarians, vegans and omnivores alike. If you are going to eat meat, eggs, or dairy you really should read this book to make sure you are getting better products. Outside of the typical argument of "killing fellow creatures", this book gives interesting and in depth looks into free-range, cage-free, antibiotics, chemicals, etc. Everyone should want to know what they are putting into their bodies, right? I think most people just really don't want to know what is going on behind the scenes because if it is bad then it would weigh heavily on their conscience. Maybe it would be too inconvenient to change some of your eating habits? It is easy for us to ignore and push aside the facts taking whatever is given to us as safe for body and environment. Whether you are a committed carnivore, part-time meat/veg, or full-time vegan, we all need to take responsibility for what we are eating and where it is coming from. The main reason we don't hear about the dirty side of the business is primarily due to large companies funding secrecy and weak regulations. Next time you look at some packaging to avoid heavy sugar or carbs or whatever...you should also take into consideration the product's farming methods and actually know what effects and chemicals are involved. This book definitely strengthens the argument for buying local!

The author, Jonathan Safran Foer is known for his novel Everything is Illuminated which was also adapted as a movie starring Elijah Wood. - Both book and film are highly recommended.

Thank you Jonathan!
http://www.eatinganimals.com/

Going Green in Chattanooga

2009-12-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

In a city with a green conscience, we should think about the vegetarian or vegan diet. Chattanooga has zero-emissions electric city shuttles, lots of green building practices, lush green natural environments, lots of local farming and efforts to buy local, energy and awareness of environmentally-friendly practices...But to take things a step further everyone should consider a veg diet for health and the environment. At least give it a try. It can be easy, fun, delicious, healthy and great for the environment. My neighbors, although carnivores, have gone on week-long vegan diets to try it out and feel healthy. If you've seen the film SuperSize Me then you'll remember the essential vegan diet to cleanse (Detox Diet) the main character's system after eating only McDonald's for a straight month. I have been vegan for 19 years and I am always excited by veg food.

Here are some links to some GREAT VEGAN FOOD PORN:
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/
http://vegancrunk.blogspot.com/
http://veganyumyum.com/
http://theveganmouse.blogspot.com/
http://chowvegan.com/

Here's a link to an article/interview Go Green, Go Vegan where some facts are laid out concerning the effects that our diet choices have on the environment. There are no animal rights/slaughterhouse scare tactics in this article...just some interesting facts.

Sluggo's New Expanded Menu

2009-12-04T04:44:00.000-08:00

you can sign-up for Sluggo's updates: sluggosnorth@hotmail.com

APPETIZERS

HUMMUS PLATE
Served with warm tortilla wedges and raw veggies…4.50

CAJUN CARROT CAKES
Grilled and topped with soy remoulade….5.25

SPICY CHEEKY “WINGS”
Breaded and grilled seitan with soy ranch and veggies…4.25

POTSTICKERS
Eight veggie filled dumplings served with a trilogy of aisan sauces….4.50

NACHOS
Covered with homemady cheesy sauce, Harry’s chili, lettuce, Salsa cruda, olives, soy cream and avocado……………….6.25

SOUPS AND SALAD

HARRY’S HOMEMADE CHILI
Cup….2.50 bowl….3.50 (w/cornbread)

CURRY LENTIL SOUP
Cup….2.50 Bowl….3.50 (w/ bread)

GARDEN SALAD with candied pecans
Small…2.50 large….5.50

CHEF’S SALAD
homemade seitan, maple tofu and grilled tofu…..7.00

choice of homemade dressings:
Tahini Goddess, Balsalmic vinnegrette, or soy ranch

SIDES
2.50

GARLIC MASHED POTATOS with mushroom gravy, SAVORY COLLARDS, CHILI, GARDEN SALAD

VEGGIE PLATE
Pick two sides comes with salad and cornbread…..6.25

ADD EXTRA SIDE TO SANDWICH OR VEGGIE PLATE FOR 1.50

SANDWICHES
Sandwich plates include salad, choice of side and a pickle

SPINACH AND HUMMUS WRAP-
Filled with raw veggies and tahini goddess dressing…..ala carte-
Ala carte…. 5.50 Plate….7.25

GRILLED BLACK BEAN BURRITO
with rice, salsa, lettuce and chips...4.00

CHEEKY WING WRAP
Spicy cheeky seitan with mixed greens, salsa and soy garlic ranch
Ala carte…5.75 Plate…7.50

MUSHROOM WALNUT BURGER
On a bun dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion and Russian dressing
Ala carte…5.50 Plate...7.25

TOFU GRINDER
Breaded tofu served cold on rye with lettuce, tomato, onion and soy cheez
Ala carte…5.75 Plate…7.50

BBQ TOFU SUB
Covered in homemade bbq and vegan mayo
Ala carte…5.00 Plate…7.00

THE BERLINER
Grilled and marinated seitan slices on local rye with kraut, grilled onions,
Soy Russian dressing, and soy cheez
Ala carte…5.75 Plate…7.50

PHILLY SEITAN
On local crusty roll with grilled peppers and onions covered in homemade cheesy sauce
Ala carte…5.75 Plate…7.50

ITALIAN SUB
Breaded and grilled seitan on local crusty roll covered in hearty tomato sauce
Ala carte… 5.75 Plate…7.50

THE CULTURE CLUB
Triple decker on local sourdough with marinated seitan, soy bacon and tofurkey slices
With soy mayo, lettuce and tomato comes with chips…6.50

Add soy cheez 1$

BOWLS
7.50

SWEET CHILI THAI BOWL
Breaded and grilled tofu over brown rice covered in sweet chili sauce
Raw cabbage, peanuts and scallions

GOLDEN BOWL
Grilled portabello with sautéed veggies over brown rice covered in mushroom gravy

POPEYE BOWL
Peanut butter tofu with raw and steamed cabbage over brown rice

CURRY BOWL
Breaded and grilled tofu over yellow rice with sautéed cauliflour, onion, peppers and mushroom in yellow curry sauce

ENTREES

PANHANDLE TOFU
Nori wrapped and grilled with soy remoulade served with cheesy grits, cole’s slaw,
Salad, cornbread...9.50

PECAN DUSTED SEITAN
Grilled in pecan breading covered in mushroom gravy served with garlic mash potatos
Collards, salad and cornbread...9.50

TOFU SCRAMBLE
Crumbled tofu sautéed with veggies and served with grilled potatos, mushroom walnut patty, and toast...7.75

SOY TACO PLATE
Soft corn tortillas with marinated TVP and veggies, lettuce, salsa, and soy cream
Served with yellow rice and black beans...8.25

GRILLED BLACK BEAN BURRITO
With rice, lettuce, salsa, and soy cream served with chips and salsa
add avocado 1.00

Free Tofurky in Chattanooga

2009-11-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

We are a bit late with this news: Apparently PETA's Sexy Pilgrims put the free in cruelty-free in Chattanooga on Monday, giving out complimentary Tofurkys to lucky passersby. These sizzling settlers made a Southern six-city tour stopping traffic and getting a few people to be a bit more responsible and aware of their dietary habits.
We heard they were camped out on Georgia Ave and MLK Blvd?

Sluggo's Vegetarian Cafe

2009-11-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

Friday November 27th, Sluggos will be having a Grand Opening Celebration!
Although the details are foggy, we suspect live music and great food.

Sluggos will be open on Thanksgiving Evening! So if you've had one of those weird family gatherings centered around bad food, you can pop on over to this North Chattanooga Vegan Cafe and also get your karoke on. Yes, you read correctly... Vegan Thanksgiving Karoke! Be a part of the musical entertainment starting at 9pm. Also, if you dress like a turkey then you get a free PBR tallboy.

We have eaten at Sluggos a half dozen times now and have enjoyed everything. Since they are brand new and just getting set-up they have a limited menu and have been a cash only business. We have posted their limited menu here (click it to view large). They also run daily specials, have some desserts, beers, juices, sodas, etc.

Try the Sweet Chili Tofu Thai Bowl or the Curry Tofu Bowl. Both are served on rice in a monster sized bowl. These are craveable! I believe they are priced around $6. Sooo worth it!

This is a great vegetarian and vegan option for dining in Chattanooga! Can't say enough good things about Sluggos. We are excited about watching their menu grow and will continue to promote them. Go there and Eat something...you won't be disappointed.

Hope everyone has a healthy thanksgiving!

you can find Sluggos here...

Vegan Booze

2009-11-13T13:17:00.000-08:00

If you consume wine or beer, you may want to consult the BARnivore. You may not have realized that some alcohol isn't actually vegan. We think it is always best to be informed. Don't be frightened...most beer is vegan.
http://www.barnivore.com

Vegetarian Food Chattanooga !!!

2009-11-11T15:49:00.000-08:00

We highly recommend Sluggo's !!!
This food is amazing and prices are great.
Really you must go there. Support them and help yourself!

For our first visit to Sluggo's,
we walked into the cafe to hear the Ramones (a good sign of what was to come!) Friendly staff greeted us...

we ordered & ate:
Nachos Appetizer: a large plate of tortilla chips piled high with pinto beans, lettuce, avocado, chee(z), bbq-type salsa, black olives, vegan soy sour cream, etc. [This was a meal unto itself $6.25]

Culture Club: "a not so traditional club, served the traditional way with chips and a pickle" featured Niedlov's Sour Dough Bread cut into four sections and layered with tofurky, seitan, tomato, vegan mayo [Yummy-Tummy $6.50]

BBQ Sub Sandwich: Spiced & Breaded Tofu served on a baguette with vegan mayo and a pickle. [Super Tasty $5]

We had to take lots home since we couldn't dare finish it all. I'm trying to get a second wind to dive back in.

Stuffed and are planning our next visit for Friday night.
So happy Sluggo's has arrived here in Chattanooga!

We will post pics and a comprehensive review after our next visit. Until then, do yourself a favor and go eat at the new vegan cafe here in Chattanooga.

here's a map link

here's some other sluggo's links:
sluggo's pensacola website
veg cooking feature article
myspace

NEW VEGGIE CAFE in Chattanooga!!!

2009-11-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

The rumors are true! We did a drive-by yesterday to confirm the location and we will be eating there very soon. Closed on Sun and Mon.

Now Open:

Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café
501 Cherokee Blvd
North Chattanooga

Hours:

LUNCH Wed - Sat 11am-3pm
DINNER Tu - Sat 5pm-1am
Sluggo's Chattanooga Vegan Chattanooga

Quick List Vegan Friendly Restaurants in Chattanooga

2009-09-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

While we are planning and plotting our next post of a comprehensive restaurant guide, here's something for those in need of info right now...

Bluegrass Grill (Two types of tofu scramble, vegan options)
Country Life (All Vegan)
Sluggos North Vegetarian Cafe (All Vegan)
Curry Pot (Indian with vegan options)
Sitar (Indian with vegan options)
Thai Smile (Thai, almost everything can be vegan)
Sweet Basil (Thai with vegan options)
Sawasdi (Thai with vegan options)
Mojo's Burrito (Mex with vegan options)
Greenlife Grocery (Vegan essentials and prepared foods)
Taco Mamacita (mexican with a "vegan menu")
Lupis (Pizza with vegan options)

so there's a start.

please let us know if you know of any other good options and we'll check it out.

Happy Dining!

State of Veglife in Chattanooga

2009-09-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Just so we don't give people the wrong idea by creating this site. Whenever we travel, we always do an internet search for "vegan" and the "city name" to find websites/blogs with info about the best vegan places to eat. Basic survival stuff. Usually if a city is Vegan friendly then they will have such a site.

Now that said, Chattanooga is not an evolved veg-friendly city, like some may think. Yes, we do have an All Vegan Restaurant downtown called Country Life which is a big deal for a city in The South. And we have an okay grocery store (Greenlife) with all the veggie essentials (tofu, tempeh, etc.) and a few deli and bakery prepared vegan foods. But, most other places are still lacking a vegan option. From here on out we will focus on highlighting those smart options and limit complaining about the others. One of our main motivations here is to create a vegan resource for this city and surrounding region.

Vegan Chattanooga

2009-09-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

Go Morrissey!

Chattanooga Veggies Unite!

2009-09-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

Okay we are here in Chattanooga, now what?

This site should serve anyone who visits or lives in Chattanooga and eats a veggie diet. We will be providing reviews of restaurants and merchants in Chattanooga and the surrounding region. We are vegan and will tend to focus on the vegan diet. Feel free to join in and help us archive this information.