Sacramento Vegan Challenge http://sacveganchallenge.com supporting a healthy, aware and connected Sacramento community Sun, 14 Apr 2013 04:56:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 V-Aware http://sacveganchallenge.com/2012/04/21/v-aware-2/ http://sacveganchallenge.com/2012/04/21/v-aware-2/#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:54:57 +0000 Sac Vegan Challenge http://sacveganchallenge.com/?p=460 Going vegan is more than a diet change, it’s an opportunity to take on the challenge of a compassionate lifestyle based on environmental stewardship, service to others, and ahisma (non-violence). Living vegan is not about giving up food groups, it’s about gaining a more conscious life for yourself, community and the planet.

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]]> http://sacveganchallenge.com/2012/04/21/v-aware-2/feed/ 0 Vegan Challenge http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/21/vegan-challenge-featured-post/ http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/21/vegan-challenge-featured-post/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:34:22 +0000 Sac Vegan Challenge http://sacveganchallenge.com/?p=98 Sacramento Vegan Challenge presents 1000 Vegan Cupcakes for Charity 2013. This year’s theme is “Farm to Cupcake.”  11 participating bakers/ bakeries will be creating 100 cupcakes each and including locally-grown ingredients for categories such as “Fresh & Fruity,” “Very Veggie,” and “Nuts ‘n Nuggets.”  Cupcakes will be available for cash-&-carry purchase in 4-packs or sampler packs (variety selection=your choice!)  We will be supporting Animal Place farmed animal sanctuary in Grass Valley, Grow it Kindly Veganic CSA program, and A Well-Fed World.  Special musical performance by vegan singer-songwriter Kyle Vincent.  Guest ‘celebrity’ judges including Gina Garcia of Yoga in the Park, Jennifer Fearing of The Humane Society of the United States/ CA, and Colleen Holland of Veg News magazine…plus local news reporters.

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]]> http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/21/vegan-challenge-featured-post/feed/ 0 V-Healthy http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/20/v-healthy-test-post/ http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/20/v-healthy-test-post/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:15:55 +0000 Sac Vegan Challenge http://sacveganchallenge.com/?p=93 Want to give a vegan lifestyle a try? We encourage you to take on the challenge of a healthier life and put together a great list of resources, cookbooks, free starter kits, and even nifty iPhone apps for meal planning to get you started!  And I know you’re thinking: “But what about my protein??”  – you can also see what the firefighters who wrote the “Engine 2 Diet” have to say about that!

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]]> http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/20/v-healthy-test-post/feed/ 0 Sacramento Vegan Challenge 2011 Winners http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/10/sacramento-vegan-chef-challenge-2011-winners/ http://sacveganchallenge.com/2011/11/10/sacramento-vegan-chef-challenge-2011-winners/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:42 +0000 Sac Vegan Challenge http://sacveganchallenge.com/?p=4 Vegan Dining in the Capitol City

Here are the winners!  Each of the winning dishes were based on survey votes and supported by diner comments–including diners who enjoyed 8-10 of the menus over the course of the month.

Best Appetizer: Kru (Mushroom Nigiri)

Best Soup: Tower Bridge Bistro (Roasted Pumpkin Soup w/ pepitos)

Best Salad: Cafe Capricho (Jewel Quinoa Salad)

Best Tasting Dessert: Capitol Garage (Coconut Chai Chocolate Cake)

Most Creative Dessert: 58 Degrees (Chocolate Mousse, Caramelized Banana & Peanut Butter Gelato)

Best Presentation Dessert: Cafe Capricho (Strawberry Shortcake)

Challenge Favorite Dessert “variety:” Sugar Plum Vegan Cafe (Cupcakes, cookies, pies, gluten-free options)

**Best Tasting Entree: Sugar Plum Vegan Cafe (Black Bean & Veggie Enchiladas)

**Overall Best Entree (Taste/Creativity/Presentation): 58 Degrees (Soybean Bulgogi, Smoked Tofu, Broccoli Rabe & Kim Chee over Seaweed Rice)

Most Heart Healthy: Cafe Capricho (Capricho Stew)

Most Inspired Menu & Presentation: Tower Bridge Bistro (Tabbouleh Cucumber Canapes, Protein & Veggie Power Stack, Buckwheat Blinis w/ Raspberry Coulis & Chocolate Sauce)

Most Creative Variation on Traditional Favorites: Michelangelo’s (Portobello Mushroom w/ Polenta & Mixed Olive Tomato Sauce; Pumpkin Risotto Timballo w/ Caponata Sauce)

Winner of $100 Millennium Restaurant Gift Certificate: Chef Raphael Kendall/ Capitol Garage

(Winner chosen from drawing among chefs who most closely followed the spirit of the challenge and created original appetizers/ main entrees/ desserts that were not already on menu previously.)

CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to all of our participating Chefs & Restaurants! ( :

*Please see Contests & Prizes page for list of recent drawing winners!

During the month of October, 2011, ten local midtown/downtown restaurants featured specialty vegan menu items (appetizer/soup, main entrees, desserts) on their dinner menus.

In response to the Challenge participating chefs created original vegan offerings.

Restaurant patrons were asked to vote for their favorites dishes at the conclusion of their meal, or via our on-line survey.

In addition to the winning dishes listed above, here are our Vegan Challenge Featured Finds:  (no particular order~ we love them all)

1. Michelangelo’s:

“Wonderful atmosphere & vegan-friendly menu options.  Great venue for a special celebration with family & friends.”

2. Cafe Capricho:

“Great neighborhood cafe with delicious, healthy, vegan-friendly menu options!” 

3. Bombay Bar & Grill:

“The food here is consistently so delicious!  I always know I can bring friends & family here and it will be tasty & enjoyable!”

Vegan Challenge Favorite: Vegan Thali Platter

4. Aioli Bodega Espanola:

 “Great atmosphere & vegan-friendly menu options.  Nice venue for a festive celebration with family and friends!”

Vegan Challenge Favorites:  Sopa de Tomate y Trigo & Paella Vegetariana

5. Hot Italian Pizza & Panini Bar: “Great place to go for Vegan Pizza!”

Vegan Challenge Favorites:  Muti Pizza & Panini (with Daiya cheese) 

 More Vegan Challenge Favorites:  

Kru:  Go-Green Roll;  58 Degrees: Mushroom Trio Appetizer 

Capitol Garage:  Fried Green Bean Appetizer & South West Barley Risotto

Each person who voted was entered in a random drawing for prizes. Additionally, there was a special passport option for those who wished to visit all 10 locations and their names were entered in a special drawing for even more fabulous prizes!

*Please see Contests & Prizes for most recent winners! 

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