From well-known ice cream shops like Ben & Jerrys to hidden dessert gems, Athens is full of vegan desserts to indulge a sweet tooth. Vegan options within these dessert places range from fully vegan menus to rotating vegan options, which change weekly.b

The Grit is renowned for being one of the only 100 percent meat-free diners in Athens.

Within a fully decked-out display case in the front, The Grit offers vegan options such as a Chocolate Death cake, homemade strawberry and vanilla vegan ice cream, vegan cupcakes, cookies and even fruity pies such as the vegan apple lemon nut crumble.

This locally owned bakery and cafe offers in-house made vegan desserts that pair great with a fresh cup of coffee. From vegan pumpkin bread with orange frosting to gluten-free and vegan pumpkin muffins to vegan banana and walnut bread, these fresh-out-of-the-oven desserts are decadent and homey.

Not to mention five percent off items for all bikers, walkers, or bus-takers!

Vegan ice cream flavors are finally offered to us from this well-known brand.

Both P.B. & Cookies and Caramel Almond Brittle are non-dairy flavors made with almond milk.

Though the waffle and cake cones at Ben & Jerrys are not vegan, the sugar cones are. Beat the heat this summer with a milkshake with almond milk (skip the whipped cream) or a double scoop in a cup or sugar cone.

Cinnaholic is an award-winning gourmet cinnamon roll place with an entirely vegan menu.

Pick any frosting flavor from marshmallow to chai and pair that will any topping combinations you could hope for. The wide variety of toppings include options such as vegan, in-house made cookie dough, various fruits, and even Newmans Own Oreos.

Ike & Jane is a locally owned bakery and cafe that offers various vegan sweet treats.

All made from scratch, goodies like vegan zucchini bread and chocolate cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting can be snagged from this bakery. Since the vegan baker usually comes in on Thursday, a good tip is to swing by on Fridays for the most available vegan desserts.

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Five vegan dessert spots in Athens to satisfy your sweet tooth - Red and Black

Being vegan in college doesnt have to mean only eating noodles with pasta sauce. Even if your university isnt the best at accommodating those with plant-based diets, its totally possible to be a vegan college student and still eat a well-balanced diet. Here are some vegan survival tips so you can make the most of your first four vegan years away from home:

First off, if youre still applying to college and a university with exceptional vegan accommodations is important to you, be sure to check the peta2 Vegan Report Card. Schools receive a letter grade based on how well the vegan options are at the dining hall, whether they label their vegan foods and if they participate in Meatless Mondays. Some schools with A grades include Yale, University of North Texas and American University. Schools on the lower end of the grading scale includeYork College and The Julliard School.

Once youre actually at your universitys dining hall, theres a chance that the vegan entree might get a little repetitive. Usually the side dishes of other entrees are vegan, such as green beans or sweet potatoes. Dont be afraid to ask for the just the sides and make a meal of them all.

Figure out other dining hall hacks specific to your university, whether its bringing your own dairy-free ice cream put on top of a favorite vegan dessert or getting to know the employees so they give you a little extra serving.

If you dont have a kitchen most college freshmen start off with a standard bedroom and a roommate its important to strike a balance between having handy tools and not turning a whole closet-sized bedroom into a makeshift kitchen.

The essentials (if you can even fit them) include a mini-fridge, a microwave and a small container for dry/pantry foods. Stock up the fridge with dairy-free products such as soy yogurt and different alternative milks, and snag as many veggies as you can from the dining hall salad bar to keep on hand.

In case theres going to be a late-night study session thatll keep you locked in your room, grocery shop for some easy frozen vegan meals that you can just pop in the microwave. The brand Amys is a lifesaver; they offer a wide variety of foods that most vegans cant traditionally eat, such as wait for it mac and cheese.

A non-traditional kitchen tool to have in your dorm room (if youve got the space)? A rice cooker. Stay with me just make a batch of rice for a few days, add in some veggies from the dining hall, topped with teriyaki or soy sauce and throw it into a Tupperware. Theres minimal cleanup and uncooked rice is super cheap when purchased in bulk.

There are even some ultra-cute and affordable mini rice cookers that make about three cups of rice without taking up too much space. Buy one from Urban Outfitters for $29.99 (its millennial pink!), or one from Crate and Barrel for $19.99.

Dining hall food can definitely get boring after a while. If you havent gone off campus a lot, go out and try new restaurants around your college that offer vegan options. This can be a great way to bond with a new roommate or classmate and change up your surroundings.

If you live near New York City, Boston or Los Angeles. Big cities often have plenty of vegan cafes and restaurants. Check out the vegan chain By Chloe. They also do great mac and cheese topped with shiitake mushroom bacon (*drool*).

But theres usually something for everyone, even if you dont live in a major city.

Last but not least, peep this guide to the Top Accidentally Vegan Foods by peta2. Everyone knows that the best vegan snack is a couple of Oreos (but it might not be for everyone, since it is only sort of vegan because of its risk for cross contamination with milk), but there are a lot of other indulgent, traditional snack foods that you can still enjoy as a vegan.

Some of the most surprising items from the list? Hersheys Chocolate Syrup and Thomass New York Style Bagels.

Now get out there and win the vegan college life!

Kalina Newman is a Boston University student and a USA TODAY digital producer.

Read more from the original source:

How to survive as a vegan in college - USA TODAY College

The good news is that more and more restaurants are catering to meatless customers, which now number approximately 8 million adults in the United States, with many more trying to eat less meat in general for health reasons.

"I am seeing more options out there for plant-based eaters who want to grab fast food," said Sharon Palmer, a vegetarian, nutritionist and author of "Plant-Powered for Life."

Vegetarian dining requires some careful planning, however. Here are some tips and strategies for eating well at fast food restaurants if you are a vegetarian or vegan:

Check out menus in advance. Since some chains have more vegetarian options than others, you should go online or try calling a restaurant to see whether there's something you will eat. If the menu seems limited, it may be worth traveling a bit farther if it means you'll get healthier, more appealing meatless options.

Seek out newer fast food chains. Traditional chains offering burgers and fried chicken are sometimes less vegetarian-friendly than newer chains. "Look for plant-based fast food restaurants, such as Veggie Grill, which are on the rise," Palmer said. "Also, look for ethnic fast casual restaurants -- Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Ethiopian -- as they have many traditional vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu that offer delicious options just as quickly as a drive-through."

Veggie up. "I like to look for plenty of veggie-rich options -- salads, sandwiches with a side salad, a wrap filled with veggies -- so I am gaining all of those health benefits and the satiety value and lower calorie load of eating more vegetables at a meal," Palmer said.

Ask about "off-menu" items. Don't assume that if a vegetarian option is out of sight, it's not available. "You'd be surprised how many fast casual restaurants I've been to that offer a veggie burger, but it's not listed on the menu," Palmer said. Additionally, you can try custom-ordering your meal. For example, vegans can ask for burritos, pizza or tacos without cheese and sour cream.

Breakfast, for lunch. Some chains serve breakfast all day long, which means an egg and cheese sandwich from the breakfast menu can be a healthful option, especially if it's paired with a side salad for some veggies.

Pack foods that can balance out the meal. "If you're traveling, you can use fast food restaurants to round out your own picnic fare. I always take whole-grain crackers, peanut butter and mixed nuts on the road with me and then grab a side salad at a fast food restaurant when nothing else is available," Messina said.

Palmer agrees. "Sometimes, your options are limited to a piece of whole fruit and a green salad, leaving you hungry and improperly nourished. Look for ways to make a balanced meal no matter where you go; if you really are stuck, you can combine that salad and piece of fruit with a bag of peanuts and some whole-grain crackers for a more balanced option."

Check ingredients. "Bread used for burgers and sandwiches is sometimes not vegan," Messina said. The breads might have milk products or honey added to them, for example. Veggie patties may also contain milk or egg ingredients. "People may often assume that veggie burgers are vegan; they often are not. So it's important to ask or to check ingredient lists online."

Beans in general are protein-rich. "Beans are getting more common in fast food restaurants, making it an excellent go-to option," Palmer said.

Go for grain salads. They can provide a tasty, protein- and fiber-rich option for vegetarians. Palmer recommends Panera Bread's Greek salad with quinoa (take out the feta to make it vegan), Starbucks' hearty veggie and brown rice salad bowl, and Veggie Grill's quinoa power salad.

Combine side dishes. Sometimes, this can be your best strategy for maximizing the nutritional value of a vegetarian meal. Plus, it adds variety. Sides such as beans, veggies, hummus and rice can be combined to offer more nutrition and flavor than any one by itself.

Consider a smoothie. "This is a great option when you can't find anything else," Palmer said. Options can be vegan or vegetarian and have a mixture of proteins, nuts, vegetables (such as kale or spinach), fruits (such as frozen raspberries or peaches) and other additives, such as spices or ginger.

Lisa Drayer is a nutritionist, author and health journalist.

See more here:

How to make fast food healthier for vegetarians and vegans - CNN

Theyre not regular vegans, theyre sexy vegans.

Since celebrities cant just be a thing without being the most beautiful or sexiest version of said thing, PETA has released its annualSexiest Vegan title for 2017. And this year, its an-woman, three-way tie for the top spot.

The three lucky meat-and-dairy-free ladies are Ruby Rose:

David Livingston via Getty Images

Noel Vasquez via Getty Images

Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images

The activist group has typically named one man and one woman as its sexiest vegetable-lover of a given year. Last year, for example, Liam Hemsworth and Jhene Aiko took the top spots for sexiest vegetarians.

Were all about celebrities standing up for what they believe in and living the way they please, but calling them out for being sexy while doing so seems just slightly unnecessary.Congrats?

See the original post here:

Here Are PETA's Sexiest Vegans Of 2017, For Some Reason ... - HuffPost

It all began with a butthole.

A woman named Chelsea Bartley left a two-star Google review of Memphis Imagine Vegan Cafe, during which she said she enjoys the restaurant and will probably return but that, during this particular visit, a bare butt naked baby showed her its butthole [sic]. She also had an issue with the childs dirty feet padding across tabletops and an older kid yodeling and staring at me during my meal. All in all, its more of a funny review than a scathing one.

Had it all stayed here, people wouldve had their fun and everyone wouldve moved on by now. Unfortunately, Imagine Cafes owner indulged their inner Trump by promising to start calling out the names and pictures of people who leave us bad reviews. But then more comments started pouring in, one of which states that the same child shat on the floor during one couples meal.

See it all below:

The owners comments were similarly vitriolic, essentially saying that those who wouldnt tolerate glimpses at a childs butthole in an eating establishment are about themselves. On its website, Imagine Cafe does emphasize that [s]ometimes there may be children running around your table, singing very loudly.

Finally, Imagine Cafe offered up its own interpretation of the situation, which offers a reasonable explanation (the baby learned how to undo her diaper) without providing assurance that such a thing will never happen again (really all anyone wants from an establishment in which they hope to dine).

Of course, the owners vitriol mobilized the webs unsullied, who took it upon themselves to try and destroy a business that responded poorly after finding themselves in a gross, but ultimately funny, situation. The attacks on their social media accounts were so unrelenting that Imagine Cafe deleted them all. And their Yelp page is now filled with one-star reviews filled with elaborate jokes about buttholes from people whove never even been to the restaurant.

Pretty much everyone is handling themselves poorly here, except, maybe, for the kid, who was just acting like a little kid in the first place.

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Baby shows its butthole in a vegan restaurant, unleashing social media hell - A.V. Club

Ive always felt different from other women. Growing up I didnt have many female friends. The girls I did become close with were, as I describe them, the kinds of girlfriends who call each other dude. In middle school and high school I strived to revel in my otherness, shouting (figuratively, desperately), Im a tomboy! I like punk music! Im one of the only black people at my school! When I went to college I shrouded myself with other unique identifiers. I loosely adopted Buddhism, developed a serious yoga practice, got several tattoos, and went vegetarian .

Following a vegetarian diet was easy for me. It was a conversation starter, it was a political statement, and it was an invisibility cloak. Giving up meat was an easy way to maintain my slim figure; something I hadn't had to think about when I was practicing daily for the high school dance team. It was something to take my mind off of my depression , which, despite being treated with medication, completely crippled me during the winter and whenever I was in a relationship.

Id see her everywhere, it seemed. We made eye contact as we passed each other walking across the quad between classes and eating Lucky Charms on opposite sides of the residence hall cafeteria, but we never spoke. I still dont know who she isthe only thing I remember about her is that she had shoulder-length dark hairbut when I look back on my diary entries around this time, it was clear she awakened my same-sex attraction:

Women are magnetic. They have this mysterious and hypnotic nature about them, some sort of sorcery...A woman is as the water. Sea-smooth waves, curving like a wake. And it be not an ocean without a little salt . Personal diary entry, April 15, 2008

That year I tried, timidly, to come out to my mom and best friend. They responded with a measure of skepticismafter all, Id only dated men until then. Its not the response you hope for when you entrust someone with a secret. Being a people-pleaser, I adopted their doubt as my own and went back into the closet, quietly identifying as bisexual but dating only men because "thats what you do."

I was running from myself. Because the basic need to eat is woven throughout each day, carefully curating what I consumed according to the tenets of veganism made me feel like my life was in order even when my mental health was not. I was using veganism as a distraction devicea challengeinstead of a positive lifestyle change, and because of that I never learned how to eat intuitively. When, years later, veganism hadnt cured my struggles with body image and depression, I decided to try bodybuilding to get the physique I wanted and thereby become happy, finally.

The classic bodybuilding diet consists of lean meat, eggs, rice, and oatmeal, a clear departure from my past of plant-based eating. I felt some guilt about abandoning the diet and philosophy I had ascribed to for eight years, but the structure of the new program felt comfortable. I resigned myself to the fact that food was no longer for enjoyment; it was for fuel. I loved the attention I got from other people: They gawked at my newly muscular upper body, questioned my pill chest full of vitamins and supplements, and admired my ability to eschew donuts at the office in favor of reheated cod and green beans.

Forcing myself to eat the same meals every day and bullying my body to grow provided a masochistic sense of satisfactionone that seemingly paid off when I achieved International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) professional status in 2015, my second year competing. That kind of rapid success is unheard of in the bodybuilding industry, and I should have been prouder of myself than I was. Instead, I was still terribly depressed and in and out of relationships that made my self-loathing worse.

Last winter I reached my all-time low. I was in a relationship with a man who was exactly the type of person my family would want me to be withsuccessful, stable, handsomeand I was about to begin training for my second pro bodybuilding show. But none of it was fun. I couldnt get out of bed; I was cripplingly depressed. I made an appointment with a doctor to have my depression medication dosage increased, but I couldnt get in for another month. In the meantime, I began to prepare for my upcoming competition, but I still wanted to start feeling better. So, I started to dig.

I downloaded an app that let me chat with a listener about my feelings, a different one with guided meditations, and still another that allowed me to track my feelings daily and view the trends as a line graph. At the beginning of the yoga class I started taking each week, Id set my intention for the class: Be happier. In trying to remember how exactly to be happy, I romanticized my past, thinking that reclaiming veganism was the answer. I got into green smoothies, traded chicken for tofu, and lost myself in aspirational vegan lifestyle YouTube channels like those of Ellen Fisher and Kate Flowers . Eating vegan againfueling my body with whole foods straight from the earthwas exhilarating. I felt healthier in a sense, just as I had the first time I went vegan ten years prior. But because I was only immersing myself in a vegan diet as a form of self-control again, I ultimately still felt like an empty shell.

One day my boyfriend and I got in our weekly fight about me avoiding intimacy. Id slunk off to cry and snuggle my cat, and when he found me he said, I dont understand why you can show love to your cat like that, but not to me. At first I was indignant, but he was right. I was avoiding intimacy with him, thinking there must be something wrong with me for not wanting to be close to him. Id made all those sudden changes in my lifethe meds, the yoga, the veganismto try to fix myself when the real problem was that I thought I needed fixing. I stood in the shower that night sobbing, with the words Im gay repeating over and over in my mind like a twisted mantra.

Over the next month, I came out to myself again and again, floating through my daily activities with a new lens of queerness. Im gay, Id think as I cooked breakfast, scooped the cat box, or did Sun Salutations. I came out to my mom next, then my closest friends, and finally, excruciatingly, to my boyfriend. I know why Ive been acting the way I have, I sputtered through tears, Its because Im gay.

Dealing with the aftermath of that discussion was one of the most difficult things Ive done. I moved all my belongings out of a home Id made with someone, intending to marry him. I broke his heart in the process. I drew flow charts to ensure I was absolutely, positively gay and not just situationally depressed. I sought refuge in the words and company of other women who had also come out late in life, and knowing I wasnt alone allowed me to release the shame I felt for my decade of denial. I worked on respecting my body and finding a balance between eating for fun and eating for fuel. Yes, coming out was hard. But sitting here today as an out lesbian, my depression has almost completely subsided. I finally feel free.

And if youre wondering, I still drink a green smoothie every day, lift weights, and do yoga, but I also eat pepperoni pizza when I feel like it. And best of all, now I kiss girls.

Related:

You might also like: How to Make High-Protein Oatmeal with No Protein Powder

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I Became Vegan to Hide the Fact That I'm Gay - SELF

Wisconsins only exclusively vegan restaurant is moving to Baraboo.

The Cheeze Factory Restaurant will relocate to downtown Baraboo after its current building lease in Wisconsin Dells expires Labor Day weekend. Restaurant leaders hope to have the new location at 618 Oak St. up and running by Thanksgiving.

The popular vegan eatery serves a variety of plant-based, non-GMO dishes. It was founded 25 years ago as a vegetarian restaurant by members of the Course in Miracles Academy.

The Academy is a spiritual group based in Wisconsin Dells that studies religious scriptures from around the world, with a primary focus on the Bibles New Testament and A Course in Miracles. Cheeze Factory staff is made up of former and current Academy members.

Jubilee Dominic-Charles, an Academy teacher and publicist for the Cheeze Factory, said the spiritual group opened the restaurant in a former Wisconsin Dells cheese factory as a way to get involved with the community. Academy members were practicing vegetarians at the time, so they opted to create a menu without meats, she said.

It was quite an anomaly, and a lot of people didnt think that we would last, said Sage-Louise, a founder and head chef at the Cheeze Factory.

The restaurant defied early expectations and became a premier vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Americans dairyland. The establishment remained vegetarian until 2013, when Cheeze Factory leaders ramped up efforts to minimize animal suffering by transitioning to a completely plant-based menu.

Even though we werent supporting the killing of animals, we were supporting the torture of animals, Sage-Louise said. Chickens that are raised for their eggs and cows that are raised for their milk are treated even more cruelly than animals that are slaughtered for meat.

Sage-Louise said she wasnt always a vegan, and worked in several five-star restaurants in New York before she made her way to Wisconsin Dells. She said the experience provided her with a unique perspective on creating dishes with limited ingredients.

What I know is that, unless it tastes good, nobodys going to want to eat it, regardless of what it is, she said. If it tastes delicious, people are going to eat it regardless of what it is.

To meet her standards, Sage-Louise said all Cheeze Factory ingredients must be entirely plant-based, and taste really, really good. Everything else on the menu is subject to change when she finds inspiration.

Sage-Louise said Cheeze Factory leaders explored several venues throughout the area before deciding on Baraboo. She said the restaurant will sacrifice about 8,000 square feet moving from its spacious location in the Dells to the 2,000 square-foot venue downtown. While the reduced space will create challenges, Sage-Louise said the restaurant is ready to make the change, and eventually will transition to a 100 percent organic menu once the new location opens.

Follow Jake Prinsen on Twitter @prinsenjake

See original here:

Wisconsin Dells vegan restaurant relocating to downtown Baraboo - WiscNews

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When I went vegan a couple years ago, I was living in New York City. I was privileged to have a well-paid job and (relatively) cheap rent, which meant I went out to eat at least a couple of times a week. There was a whole new world of amazing vegan cuisine to discover in New York City, and far from feeling deprived of animal products, I discovered a whole new culinary world of possibility and ate my way through its many options.

While there are so many places I would recommend for you toeat vegan in New York, these are the spots I find myself most nostalgic for now that I live in L.A. (even though Im far from deprived here L.A. is basically the only place in the United States that has even more vegan options). While not every restaurant on this list is fully vegan, most are at least vegetarian or vegan-leaning.

Here are my picks for the best places to eat vegan in New York City, no matter your craving.

Any place that makes you take off your shoes is off to a great start in my book. Hangawi is located in Koreatown, and is a truly elevated experience. Each dish is purposefully and carefully crafted. You can get classic Korean dishes like the Tofu Kimchi Hot Pot, or more unusual dishes like the Dandelion and Avocado Salad, Mushroom and Vegetable Wrap, and Zen Noodles.

Runners-Up: Have a slightly less-expensive but still elevated meal at Francia, or choose the vegan options at the casual lunch/dinner buffet at Woorijip (where I probably ate most often).

God, I love this place. It is cheap, unpretentious, classic Buddhist Chinese food which is vegan! I always loved the watercress, and the lamb is definitely worth tryingeven if youre not into mock meat. I also found the soy cheesecake for dessert to be delicious. Seriously, just go here anytime youre in Chinatown.

Runner Up: Lucky Vegetarian in Sunset Park, Brooklyn is also excellent.

The homemade nut cheeses are downright amazing, and the freshly-baked crust from the wood-burning oven is chewy and perfect. If you want a classic Italian/New York-style pizza, elevated with interesting flavor combinations (I especially recommend the White Pizza) and a killer wine bar ambiance to match, this East Village gem is your place. Take anyone here who says they could never be vegan because theyd have to give up pizza.

Runners-Up: People also swear by Paulie Gees and Screamers Pizzeria in Greenpoint.

If you work anywhere near Koreatown, my favorite takeout lunch spot would definitely be Woorijip. Its cheap, delicious, and the vegan options abound. You can try a little bit of everything vegan, and they just weigh it at the end. They even have rice, salads, and other sides for as little as $1 each, to-go.

Runners-Up: If more standard American lunch fare is your style, Blossom DuJouris asolid pick for a delicious burger, wrap, or sandwich.If you happen to be near Downtown Brooklyn, Id also highly recommend the simple Indian food at Govindas Vegetarian, which is only open during the week for lunch.

Peacefood Cafe was my go-to for dinner out with a friend. The ambience is both casual and chic, the menu is large and appealing to all kinds of cravings and tastes (the Chickpea Fries are a must), and the dessert well, lets just say the Raw Key Lime Pie had both me and my non-vegan friends coming back.

Runners Up: For healthy and tasty raw or cooked food, Id also recommend Sacred Chow in The West Village, Sun and Bloom in Prospect Heights, and Quintessence in the East Village.

How Beyond Sushi isnt in L.A. yet is beyond me and I miss it! If you think vegan sushi isnt possible, try one of Beyond Sushis four locations in New York City for a casual lunch or dinner, and prepare to be both satisfied and amazed. My favorites were the Spicy Mango Rolls, the Green Tea Noodle Salad, and the Sweet Potato Brownie for dessert.

This Bedstuy joint is vegan comfort food at its best. Try the amazing Yeah Dawg! (best vegan hot dog, hands-down), the BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich, or the Fried Cauliflower. Whatever your craving, they have you covered at this hole-in-the-wall.

Runner Up: Uptown Veg in Harlem.

Though Van Leeuwens isnt entirely vegan, they have a huge selection of vegan flavors and they are the richest, creamiest, tastiest around. Seriously, I defy anyone to tell the difference between this and dairy ice cream (except for the amount of bloating afterwards). My favorite flavor is the Dark Chocolate, but you seriously cant go wrong here.

Runners Up: I also like Chloes soft serve as a lighter all-fruit soft-serve option in Union Square, and Ample Hills Creamerys vegan coconut fudge sorbet (which is really the richest dark chocolate coconut milk ice cream Ive tasted).

Pretty much the only category where I think New York Citys vegan cuisine beats L.A., hands-down, is fine dining. (And by fine dining, I mean anything where you might drop $100 on dinner, because I am not rich).

Dirt Candy, however, is worth saving up for. While you can get out for less money by ordering tapas-style, Id recommend saving up for the vegan tasting menu. If you want to know what avant garde vegan cooking looks like right now, you will not be disappointed or leave hungry. A different vegetable is showcased at the center of every plate, the food is always seasonal, and the flavors are complex and amazing. This is a fantastic restaurant.

Runners Up: Avant Garden, Mother of Peal, Kajitsuare all also nice nights out and absolutely delicious, offering truly unique tapas, upscale Polynesian food, and shojin Japanese cuisine, respectively.

Located in Greenpoint, Bunna Cafe is all-vegan, all-amazing Ethiopian food simply some of the best Ethiopian Ive had. Go there for the coffee ceremony and live music, stay for the veggie sampler.

Chennai Garden is just delicious, dependable Indian food, reasonably priced, and located in Murray Hill. Any curry is delicious, but South Indian dishes also are a specialty, with a vegan thali and Gunpowder Masala Dosa sure to please anyone who loves their potatoes.

Runners Up: Dosa Delight in Jackson Heights is great, and Saravana Bhavan, which is actually a chain in India, is also very tasty.

Not surprisingly, L.A. is crushing NYC when it comes to competition in this category, but V SPOT holds it down as a solid and reasonably-priced brunch, lunch, and dinner spot with three locations in New York City. Whether youre craving brunch, arepas, tamales, quesadillas, empanadas, or a big burrito, this place will hit the comfort food spot without leaving you with a stomachache.

Ital Kitchen is the kind of place you cant really describe until you experience it for yourself but Ill try anyway. Yes, the Ital food (thats Rasta vegan food), cooked by Chef Michael Gordon, is delicious (I like the Jerk Chicken or Stir It Up Nice) but it is the ambience and community in this Crown Heights gem that will keep you coming back.

This place has one of those rare backyards where new friends are made, and every night feels fated. Your server and soon-to-be friend, Mik, will make you feel welcome, and the music is always just what you need to relax. Of all the many places I ate in New York City, only one became my second home, the only place I truly miss. See it for yourself, but dont be surprised if you also have the impulse to keep it a secret, for fear of ruining its hidden magic.

Read the rest here:

Here are some of the best places to eat vegan in New York City - HelloGiggles

"I like bacon," one kid tells the director. She's responding to whether or not she likes meat and every kid present gives pretty much the same response. Aye. They're into it.

They're being asked about meat because the kids are about to try a host of meat and cheese substitutes in a series of vegan dishes. Naturally, some explanation is needed.Veganism is harder to explain to a kid than you might expect. (It's also sometimes hard for adults.) It's easy to say vegans don't eat any product that comes from an animal, but how do you respond when the kid says, "What!? They don't eat chocolate!"

The regulars in the "Kids Try" series are used to having the rug pulled from underneath them when they find out they're eating something horrifying. (At least, to kids. Looking at you, vegetables.) So, while eating Chick'n Nuggets, it's not surprising they're skeptical when asked, "Would you believe me if I said there wasn't meat in them?"

For the most part, the experiment has kidshappilyeating vegan substitutes. Though, one girl knocks the world fakon and tofurky down a peg while eating vegan nachos, noting it'd be better if it had "real cheese and real meat." Another kid is asked if he'd like to become a vegan now and he responds, "No. I want to be American."

So, kids might not be the best control group for fake meat's ability to pass as meat. One kid is asked what his favorite meat is. He replies, in the form of a question, "Horse?" Watch all the confusion above.

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Dustin Nelson is a News Writer with Thrillist. He holds a Guinness World Record but has never met the fingernail lady. Follow him @dlukenelson.

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Kids Have Hilarious Reactions to Trying Vegan Food - Thrillist

The internet is full of reports of children going HAM in restaurants but in most cases, the rowdy kids belong to the customers, not the proprietors. Perhaps thats why Imagine Vegan Cafe in Memphis, TN is attracting so much attention on social media right now. Earlier this week, a customer wrote a review of this small restaurant that mentions a naked baby running around the dining room showing off its butthole. To make matters worse, the proprietors wrote a series of angry responses on their Facebook page, before deciding to completely delete the account. Heres the Google Plus review that got the ball rolling.

Twitter user @octave took screengrabs of the owners responses to this review, which included a warning: Im about to start calling out names and pictures of people who leave us bad reviews, especially when it deals with our children. You will no longer be allowed to come and dine at Imagine. Especially when you lie about our babies. The owners also explained: Were starting with Chelsea Bartley. And, as a further warning: Haters are not welcome at Imagine!!!

meanwhile in memphis: a vegan cafe is losing its mind on facebook because a yelp reviewer said the owner's kids showed them their butthole pic.twitter.com/LgkrTGsojW

In another pair of Facebook messages that have since been deleted, the owners fess up to the fact that these were in fact their children, and sometimes the kids dont wear diapers in the dining room:

Another customer also purports to have seen something even stranger.

According to the restaurants homepage, Imagine Vegan Cafe is a family owned and operated establishment specializing in real food for real people. The website includes a photo of owners Adam and Kristie Jeffrey, and their brood of smiling children. Eater tried calling the owners of Imagine Vegan Cafe this afternoon, but nobody picked up the phone.

@octave [Twitter] Imagine Vegan Cafe [E]

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Vegan Cafe Patrons Creeped Out By Naked Babies Running Wild ... - Eater