Leaving Toronto Sprouts, No meat! ..and dishes from the potluck

Had to post a pic of my plate from the potluck.. like an orgasmic firework of rainbow colours on a plate! ..hows that for a description.?? lol I just had to try everything ..and this didn't even include the desserts.. raw desserts are the best and there were lots!

It was a bittersweet event though because just previously that day I had given my notice..well, more than that. I walked. which was really hard to do because I love that place. I would have been going there to hang out if I wasn't already getting paid to be there. I felt very connected there on many levels.. it was my entertainment, education, the people there are like family to me, the food is amazing..I lived on sprouts and green smoothies, wheatgrass and lots of great foods, which I got to share with great people. It was an amazing time, amazing memories!

but I am not going in today. The cafe is bringing in meat and going more commercial. I had told them when meat came in I was going out. So Saturday they wheeled the stove in (not even a pretty stove ..and electric ugh) to replace me. sniff.. it was really sad,meat samples came in.. Monday morning ham and tuna sandwiches were going on the menu. It was sad ..but necessary for me to leave. I started working there because it was raw vegan. Green smoothies were popular but it just wasn't enough. ..I do understand their position (not on the meat) but in trying to attract a lunch crowd.. I was ok with that, and even helping to make the soups(& cooked food). I'm actually very good at it. lol anyway....

Someone said something tome Saturday that stuck..
"Every time you buy meat you are paying another person to commit murder for you" Think about it, it's true. It wouldn't be so bad perhaps, if people would go hunt and kill their own animals for food. (well, that really is still killing, but if you're ok with that, its all your choice) But too many people have blinders on, don't even think of meat as meat or where it comes from ..don't even thank the animal that gave its life..not to mention that most of these animals don't even get to see the sunshine or walk on grass.. its not a fairytale land in the slaughterhouse. Many people don't even think about what it is they are putting into their mouths, into their bodies. Most people don't have a clue. Wake up! & I said to them "I really hope it's at least organic meat?" They said yes.. but I have seen the other organic stuff slide. & really, even organic doesn't mean any better living conditions for the animals, they can still grow up in a box, with no family or anyone around them, no sunshine, a hard cruel life full of torture and still have organic grain to eat.

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.” Paul McCartney

I had told them months ago when talk of bringing meat in came up that if it did I couldn't be there anymore. "If meat comes in, I go out." I am not getting all self-righteous about this. I am not even that concerned what other people do (if thats the right word) ..but I am concerned what I do. I just can't work there. I think thats an obvious choice ..more difficult now however, at this point in my life.

k, got off on a tangent. Back to the potluck..which was wonderful, so many people.. so much happiness but interspersed with a few tears. The music was great, the atmosphere is always wonderful there.. and the food - amazing! Here are some notes - ingredients of dishes collected from the tables afterwards..just to give some inspiration & ideas..

Carrot Apple Salad - 1 1/2 c apple (sm cubes), 2 c carrots (shredded), 1/2 c raisins, 1 T gur (jaggery) syrup, 1/2 t vanilla extract, salt + nutmeg, coconut and orange juice.

Kale Salad - kale, avocado, tomato, lemon juice, salt & cayenne.

Sprouted Lentil Salad - green lentils, cherry tomatoes, red onion, salt, lime juice, cayenne, cumin.

Qunioa Tabbuleh - white/red quinoa, avocado, parsley, tomato, olive oil, lemon juice, Love.

Delicious Salad- Zucchini, yams (both thinly sliced) portobello mushrooms, hot peppers, garlic, braggs or nama shoyu, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil.

Fettucini Alfredo - zucchini (noodles). sauce: cashews, almond milk, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, oregano, miso, black pepper.

Sweet and Sour Neatballs

Sun-dried Tomato Cashew Loaf - cashews, sun seeds, tomatoes, chives, parsley, garlic, peppercorns.

Lemon Date Pudding - Dates, lemon, avocado, raw org. cane sugar.

Spicy Cinnamon Cacao Mousse - raw cacao beans, cacao butter, coconut milk, agave, maplesyrup, vanilla beans, cinnamon bark, chili peppers.
ps. this last one is by Frederick- cacao alchemist and frequency activator - click link above to go to his site!

psps - all pics from Sat are posted in facebook