Vegan fast food chain opens 5th location

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Plant Power Fast Food, a plant-based fast food restaurant chain based in San Diego, CA, opened its fifth location last week in Long Beach, California.

The three-and-a-half-year-old company reported that sales from the Long Beach location on its opening Sunday June 30, 2019 were the highest for any of the company’s five locations for one single day in its history.


Chief Operations Officer and Co-CEO Zach Vouga said, “We’re thrilled to be part of this vibrant community and we’re overwhelmed by the warm welcome we’ve been receiving from customers old and new.”

Company President and Co-CEO Mitch Wallis said that their brand was specifically designed to appeal to everyone, not just those on a plant-based diet.

“By presenting a fresh, GMO-free, plant-based menu in the familiar fast-food format, we’re able to provide an easy-to-access alternative for those looking for healthier options”. He added, “The majority of our customers are omnivores who are exploring new food choices”.

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Co-CEO Jeffrey Harris believes that there is a huge opportunity to bring a plant-based alternative to the U.S. fast-food space: “In the United States, the fast food market exceeded $255 billion in sales in 2018 according to market research companies Statista and IBIS. While traditional fast food restaurants deliver the taste, cost and convenience factor that their customers enjoy, the majority of mainstream brands have failed to adequately address the evolving needs of consumers who are looking for healthier, more humane and environmentally sustainable options.”

Asked about the current news of major fast-food brands adding vegan items to their menu, Harris was positive. “We’re thrilled to see many of the major fast-food brands expand their offerings to include plant-based options.”

Harris further adds, “The introduction of vegan burgers at some fast food restaurant chains indicates that a significant attitudinal shift is in motion, just as we predicted several years ago when we first began developing our business. That said, we believe that consumers are looking for more than just a couple of vegan options on the menu. We’re excited to be able to offer something radically different to customers who are hungry for real change”

New location for Plant Power Fast Food

ADDRESS: 5095 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804
HOURS: Breakfast 7:00am – 11:00am. Lunch/dinner from 11:00am – 10:00pm
MENU ITEMS: From burgers, shakes, “chicken” tenders, to fries, salads, juices and raw items with seasonal options throughout the year

Follow Plant Power on Instagram and visit their website.

Sage Bistro in Los Angeles

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One of the nicest places you could ever hope to have a comfort food experience is Sage Plant-Based Bistro.

With three locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, Sage is the perfect dining spot to make your Californian adventure extra special.

Last year I had a truly sensational meal with my buddy Patricia in the Culver City location, while a few weeks ago Gil and I ordered a whole bunch off the Echo Park menu.

The Brussels sprouts had us pushing each other out of the way and my strawberry shake was too creamy for this horrible world. We don’t deserve treats this nice.

Check out our feast below and be sure to follow Sage on Instagram.

Five vegan launches you need to know this week

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With the world turning vegan friendly at a rapid rate, it can be tough for a plant-based consumer to keep up with the latest happenings.

I’m doing my bit to help you out this week by showing you five vegan product launches that might have slipped under the radar.

Let’s go shopping!

Vegan makeup from Lady Gaga

The superstar of music, TV, and movies has launched her Haus Laboratories makeup range and guess what? It is ALL VEGAN.

The FAQ page of the website clearly states that the entire range is vegan friendly. All products are available for pr-order online here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8DkvHlhoT/

Vegan pizzas by Fry Family Food Co.

I blogged about this a short while ago but I’m updating you here. (Read original post online)

Superstar vegan food company Fry’s has launched two vegan pizzas in Australia with the rest of the world soon to follow.

Nut butter cups by Doisy & Dam

Doisy & Dam have been making cute chocolates for a few years but they have totally taken things to a new level by releasing vegan-friendly nut butter cups.

Available in both Hazelnut and Almond. Dreamy!

Vegan Culinary Cruises

I have teamed up with a respected and established cruise company to create a new vegan cruise arm of their business!

I am the Director of Development for Vegan Culinary Cruises, a high end luxury vegan vacation specialist with a focus on fine dining.

We have two cruises planned for 2020 so far including an LGBT-friendly (all welcome) vegan cruise on the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia, plus a late summer general vegan cruise in the south of France.

I’m thrilled to be on all cruises as the group leader and I can’t wait to experience these destinations with likeminded people!

Click here to find out more info about the cruises and follow Vegan Culinary Cruises on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Chocolate toffees by Jeavons

UK company Jeavons have long made gorgeous vegan treats that were so popular, they were forced to scale up and they did it with total style.

Visit their website to explore the tempting range of toffee-based delights and order your own for delivery.

Vegan tacos in Mexico City

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If you have been toying with the idea of visiting Mexico City but need an extra slice of motivation, check out this Instagram post from my feed this week.

Por Siempre Vegan Taquería is the best place to eat vegan food in the city and this seitan trompo is drawing huge crowds.

Tacos al pastor is like a national pastime here in Mexico, so this vegan version is proving to be extremely popular.

The seitan is cooked much like kebab or shawarma before being thinly sliced, fried on a grill, and served with fresh pineapple in tacos.

The menu at Por Siempre is nothing short of stunning and give you a true taste of Mexican street food without the animals getting hurt!

You can follow Por Siempre on Facebook.

UK football club launches bamboo uniforms

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Forest Green Rovers is already recognised by FIFA and UEFA as the world’s greenest football club but they have now gone a step further.

The club has unveiled its dazzling new uniform, a world first made with bamboo!

The new kit features zebra print and the shirts are the first football shirts on the planet to be made with bamboo.

This year’s uniforms use a 50% bamboo mix which significantly reduces the use of plastic. Working with its uniform partner PlayerLayer, the intention is to further develop this revolutionary approach to create 100% sustainable high-performance sportswear.

This season’s new home jersey is resplendent in a striking green and black zebra pattern, and the away jersey adopts a black-on-black zebra look. The home and away design will last for two seasons.

Modeled by players Joseph Mills, Ashleigh Watson, Kacie Anderson, and Shawn McCoulsky

Both jerseys feature FGR’s internet-infamous three stars, which signify the club’s ambition to reach the UK Championship division, the highest in English football, with one star coloured in to mark promotion to the Football League in 2017, and two greyed out to represent the steps needed to reach its goal. The club came close to filling in another star last season, narrowly missing out on promotion to League One.

FGR’s support of its conservation partner Sea Shepherd also features in the new design, with the marine charity’s iconic skull and crossbones on the back of every shirt. For the first time, Oatly (the club’s plant-based milk partner) have sponsored the shorts with their logo appearing on the back of every pair.

The club will also launch an all-new third uniform in partnership with Sea Shepherd next month in tribute to the organisation’s work, and as part of a major fundraising initiative instigated by the club.

Dale Vince, Chairman, Forest Green Rovers, states, “We’ve taken inspiration from nature with our new kit, from the zebra stripes to the sustainable materials. I was pretty shocked when I found out that modern sportswear is actually made from plastic, that feels wrong to me, not just from the sustainability point of view, but for performance too.”

“Together with PlayerLayer, we’re making strides towards a new approach for football kit–this year’s 50% Bamboo is a stake in the ground and we plan to move beyond that. The aim is 100% sustainable, high-performance material.”

Roderick Bradley, Founder, PlayerLayer, commented, “We are privileged to work with such a forward thinking, creative and rebellious football club. We are developing some completely natural fabrics which will change the sports clothing industry forever.”

Fans can pre-order the new FGR home and away uniforms online here with online deliveries starting Monday 15th July. Shipping to the US and Canada is available.

ABOUT FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Founded in 1889 and based at The New Lawn stadium in Gloucestershire. FGR has been described by FIFA as “the world’s greenest football club.”

Currently in League Two, FGR brings together football and environmental consciousness in a way no other football, or sports club in the world is doing – from its fully organic pitch and vegan matchday menu to its stadium solar panels and electric vehicle charge points.

FGR is the first vegan football club in the world, and the only one on the planet to be certified carbon neutral by the United Nations. In the 19/20 season, FGR will play in a kit made 50% from bamboo therefore reducing the reliance on plastics in sportswear. FGR’s chairman and owner, Dale Vince is also a Climate Champion for the UN.

You can find out more about FGR and its green initiatives on the club website.

New vegan menu at Chiquito in UK

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The UK’s biggest Mexican restaurant Chiquito has launched a new vegan menu and Oumph! is now featured in two new plant-based dishes.

Keep reading for details on the two Oumph! dishes as well as an overview of the entire vegan menu.

• Vegarrito – Salty & Smoky Oumph! Black beans, jalapeño slaw, rice and greens wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Served with tortilla chips and a side of Oatly creamy oat fraiche.

• Vegan Fiesta Fajita – All of the favourite flavours from their classic fajitas filled with Salty & Smoky Oumph! Served with Violife vegan cheddar style cheese and Oatly creme fraiche, Pico de Gallo salsa, guacamole and unlimited tortillas.


“We are particularly proud of our new vegan menu”, says Chiquito Managing Director Angelo Gabrilatsou. “Having guest choice at the heart and understanding growing trends, this menu allows Chiquito to be more accessible to guests that seek vegan options.”

Angelo Gabrilatsou continues:

“We are very fortunate that Mexican food lends itself very well to vegan and our new additions bring amazing tastes and textures that will appeal not only to vegans but to all our guests. We are incredibly excited about this menu and firmly believe it puts us at the forefront of vegan dining in the UK.”

The new vegan menu will be available now at all Chiquito sites. The company currently has almost 70 locations around the UK.

Click here to search for your nearest location on their website or keep reading for an overview of the new vegan menu.

The new vegan menu at Chiquito features the following items:

Starters

  • Cassava Fries
  • Vegan Nachos
  • Sweet Potato Skins
  • Banana Blossom Croquette

Mains

  • Vegan Fiesta Fajita
  • Oumph Bbq Fajita Sauce
  • Oumph Hot Habanero Fajita Sauce
  • Banana Blossom Burger
  • Jackfruit Baja Tacos
  • Palm Heart Baja Bowl
  • Vegarrito

Sides

  • Mexican Rice
  • Citrus Salad
  • Skin On Fries
  • Sweet Potato Fries

Desserts

  • Passionfruit Sorbet
  • Chocolate Coconut Lava Cake
  • Small Churros With Chocolate Sauce
  • Large Churros With Chocolate Sauce
  • Vanilla Nice Cream

You can follow Oumph! on Instagram.

Vegan grocery store in Mexico City

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Mr Tofu has had a store front in central Mexico City for a few years, but they have just gone and opened a brand new updated version in the trendy Condesa area.

Mr Tofu is not just a chain of vegan stores around Mexico. The company also acts as the leading importer of vegan goods into the country.

The new location at Quintana Roo 145 in Condesa is beautiful.

Freezers are packed solid with meat and dairy alternatives including market leaders Gardein, Follow Your Heart, Tofurky, Daiya, Field Roast, and Beyond Meat.

Check out these gorgeous photos showing the inside and outside of the new Mr Tofu location.

The store isn’t a cafe but they do have vegan hot dogs on heating rollers and they will cook you up a Beyond Burger on a grill which you can then garnish yourself with ketchup, mustard, onions, and jalapeños.

They also have a soft serve ice cream machine!

Mr Tofu already has multiple location spread around Mexico with many more to follow in the next few years.

You can see the exact location of the new Condesa location thanks to Google Maps and be sure to follow Mr Tofu Condesa on Instagram.

New vegan chicken pizzas by Fry’s

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Great news, pizza lovers!

The Fry Family Food Co. has just launched two amazing-looking vegan pizzas featuring their legendary chicken-style strips.

Both the Smoky BBQ Woodfired Pizza and the Mediterranean Woodfired Pizza feature the chicken-style strips and are currently being sold by Coles supermarkets all around Australia.

The famous meat-free brand has suggested on social media that the pizzas will start to make their way into other stores soon and as they are made in Italy, it would make sense to find them in the UK before too long.

Yay for vegan pizza!

You can follow Fry Family Food Co. on Instagram.

UK vegan chocolate bars

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Sheffield. Have you been into your superstar vegan grocery store lately?

Well, I’ve got a very solid reason why you need to get in there ASAP.

The Incredible Nutshell located in Heeley has long been one of the best vegan shops on the planet. They stock a HUGE range of plant-based treats, chilled products, and goodies for your pantry.

And now they are selling the new and improved Jeavons toffees and chocolates.

Check out these images below.

Jeavons have spent several years raising funds for new machinery and trialling how to use it in order to produce all their treats on a bigger scale as opposed to their previous handmade techniques. This upgrade was crucial due to the immense demand for their tasty treats.

The Incredible Nutshell has always been a champion of independent vegan food producers, so it should be no surprise that the Sheffield store is proudly selling these toffees and chocolates.

Get into The Incredible Nutshell to be one of the first in the UK to try the new and improved treats by Jeavons. Click here to see all the details including address of the shop.

You can also follow The Incredible Nutshell on Instagram.

If you are not in Sheffield but want these treats, order online from the Jeavons website. You can also follow the brand on Instagram.

Vegan white chocolate

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You are going to need to be VERY fast to get your hands on some of these delights.

ConVEctionery is an online UK store specialising in vegan treats, chocolates, and bakes.

For a super limited time (as in this weekend ending Sunday July 7, 2019) you can order two AMAZING items for delivery to your home or office.

Check this out.

If you are able to view the images above, you will have witnessed vegan white chocolate Kit Kats and white chocolate Wagon Wheels.

Oh, yes!

Of course CoVEctionery has plenty of other treats to order as well, but these white chocolate Kit Kats and Wagon Wheels are only available this weekend.

You gotta get over to their online shop as fast as you can because I predict they will not last long.

Click here to shop with CoVEctionery and follow them on Instagram.