VSU: BEHIND THE PAUSE! [Conscious Cultures Creamery]

WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? Thanks for checking out our interview series, where we’re highlighting vendors to shed some light on small businesses and individuals during COVID-19. See how the situation at hand is affecting our community, how they’re responding, how you can support…and what to eat! (recipes!) COME ON IN.

(Each interviewee was asked to submit 3 photos: one food, one written recipe, and one current selfie!)

Conscious Cultures Creamery
Philly, PA
Stephen Babaki

HOW ARE YOU IN ONE WORD?
Detached

ONE WAY YOU ARE COPING..
Solitary city hikes with Lucinda (banjo) and yoga + meditation when I can muster up the inspiration.

ONE TIP FOR THOSE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW..
Find a way to delineate and differentiate the days so it doesn’t feel like one long ass lazy Sunday

FAVE COMFORT FOOD..
All things made with dough

ONE FOOD YOU CAN’T GET RIGHT NOW AND MISS..
Trinidadian Roti

YOUR SILVER LINING..
We will come out of this stronger

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT YOU RIGHT NOW? (OR if you’d prefer, your favorite charity to support!)
Support Riverdel Cheese they continue to provide a platform for all of us vegan affineurs to showcase our crafts!

A FAVORITE RECIPE..
This is the exact recipe from my first ever batch of vegan cheese. My hope is to give folks something fun to experiment with during this stillness. The base is super versatile and can be used in many applications.

THANKS, STEVE!

Stay cool!
VSU

VSU: BEHIND THE PAUSE! [Culiraw]

AHOY HOY. Thanks for checking out our interview series, where we’re highlighting vendors to shed some light on small businesses and individuals during COVID-19. See how the situation at hand is affecting our community, how they’re responding, how you can support…and what to eat! (recipes!) HAVE AT IT.

(Each interviewee was asked to submit 3 photos: one food, one written recipe, and one current selfie!)

Culiraw
NYC, NY
Silvia Vidova

HOW ARE YOU IN ONE WORD?
Optimistic

ONE WAY YOU ARE COPING..
staying busy, catching up on things I’ve been putting aside

ONE TIP FOR THOSE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW..
keep pushing forward :)

FAVE COMFORT FOOD..
toasted bread

ONE FOOD YOU CAN’T GET RIGHT NOW AND MISS..
cheese from conscious cultures creamery and baklava from the baklava lady

YOUR SILVER LINING..
time to catch up on things and get better

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT YOU RIGHT NOW? (OR if you’d prefer, your favorite charity to support!)
you can order our goodies online

A FAVORITE RECIPE..
frozen banana drizzled with yacon syrup and raw chocolate with some peanut butter

THANKS, SILVIA!

Stay cool!
VSU

VSU: BEHIND THE PAUSE! [Pisces Rising Vegan]

WE’RE BACK. Thanks for checking out our new interview series, where we’re highlighting vendors to shed some light on small businesses and individuals during COVID-19. See how the situation at hand is affecting our community, how they’re responding, how you can support…and what to eat! (recipes!) HANG IN.

(Each interviewee was asked to submit 3 photos: one food, one written recipe, and one current selfie!)

Pisces Rising Vegan
Brooklyn, NY
Laura Varley

HOW ARE YOU IN ONE WORD?
anxious

ONE WAY YOU ARE COPING..
Doing chopped challenges in my own kitchen! Being creative by baking and cooking with ingredients that have been in my kitchen, and trying to do a small productive thing each day— whether that is taking a shower or baking a loaf of bread.

ONE TIP FOR THOSE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW..
Keep communicating with one another. Things are really scary, especially since food service can’t work from home + earn an income— communicate your needs to the close people in your life, be open to sharing feelings + thoughts + actions, try to help your brain to stop feeling like you are in this alone.

FAVE COMFORT FOOD..
Honestly three way tie— nachos, french fries, + cheesy bread :•)

ONE FOOD YOU CAN’T GET RIGHT NOW AND MISS..
San Loco guac-a-locos + a frozen margarita (made vegan, of course!)

YOUR SILVER LINING..
Seeing animals being able to return to water spots that were heavily polluted.

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT YOU RIGHT NOW? (OR if you’d prefer, your favorite charity to support!)
I’m still figuring it out! I think the best way for me would be to continually sharing my posts, talking about me, and keeping me in mind for orders in May + onward. I think I’ll be doing a raffle for some rewards that you’ll be able to be a part of for a small money contribution. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out!!

A FAVORITE RECIPE..
Basic Vegan Cookies~

1/2 c vegan butter~room temp (or softened coconut oil)
3/4 c sugar
1/4 c nondairy milk
1 t vanilla
1 1/2c flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Optional add ins— nuts, chocolate chunks, dried fruit, spices, citrus zest. *if adding zest, massage into sugar before adding the sugar to the fat.

Mix fat + sugar till fluffy, with a fork or a mixer if ya got one. Add milk + vanilla, mix till incorporated. Fold in flour, baking soda, salt.

Add in any optional add ins.

Scoop and put on a cookie sheet, chill in the fridge for an hour. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flatten them out if desired. Let cool + eat!

THANKS, LAURA!

Stay cool!
VSU

VSU: BEHIND THE PAUSE [Junk Food Vegan]

THANKS for checking out our new interview series, where we’re highlighting vendors to shed some light on small businesses and individuals during COVID-19. See how the situation at hand is affecting our community, how they’re responding, how you can support…and what to eat! (recipes!) GET IN.

(Each interviewee was asked to submit 3 photos: one food, one written recipe, and one current selfie!)

JUNK FOOD VEGAN
Stamford, CT
Donnamarie Del Signore

HOW ARE YOU IN ONE WORD?
Chaotic

ONE WAY YOU ARE COPING..
Reminding myself daily that nothing lasts forever and continuing to focus on what I can accomplish with the extra time at home.

ONE TIP FOR THOSE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW..
Continue to create and share virtually so that when we re-emerge, you can feed others with the amazing art that came out of isolation.

FAVE COMFORT FOOD..
Pizza…. it always has been and always will be pizza.

ONE FOOD YOU CAN’T GET RIGHT NOW AND MISS..
Doughnuts

YOUR SILVER LINING..
I have been granted an immense amount of time that I so badly craved to slow down, organize, and be as creative as possible

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT YOU RIGHT NOW? (OR if you’d prefer, your favorite charity to support!)
Please help a local animal shelter that is short on supplies.

A FAVORITE RECIPE..
Plate of Comfort

Macaroni salad:
1/2 cup of vegan mayo
1/4 cup vinegar
1tbspn mustard
1 Tbspn agave
1/2 tspn salt
1/2 Tspn black pepper
1/2 red bell pepper diced
3 celery hearts diced
3/4 red onion minced
Shaved or grated carrot

Dressing: Add Mayo, vinegar, mustard, agave, salt and pepper and whisk in small bowl.
Boil pasta in salted water with a tablespoon of olive oil for set amount of time as recommended on package. Once boiled, drain and set aside in a medium bowl. Add vegetables and dressing and mix. Cover and refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Crispy Fried Buttermilk Seitan Nuggets

I used store bought seitan and broke into nugget sized pieces.

Dry Ingredients coating:
Chickpea and all purpose flour about a cup and a half
1/2 tspn salt
1/2 tspn cayenne
1 tspn paprika
1 tspn black pepper
1 tspn garlic powder
1 tspn onion powder
1/2 tspn oregano
1/2 tspn basil
1/4 tspn thyme

Vegan Buttermilk mixture for dredging:
1 cup Creamy planet oat
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup Just Egg

Flour and dredge twice. Pan fry about 1 minute and flip for another 1-2 minutes. Pieces should be golden. Place on paper towel to remove excess.

THANKS, DONNAMARIE!

Stay cool!
VSU

VSU: BEHIND THE PAUSE! [Riverdel]

WELCOME to our new interview series, VSU: BEHIND THE PAUSE! We’ll be highlighting vendors to shed some light on small businesses and individuals during COVID-19. See how the situation at hand is affecting our community, how they’re responding, how you can support…and what to eat! (recipes!) LET’S CONNECT.

(Each interviewee was asked to submit 3 photos: one food, one written recipe, and one current selfie!)

RIVERDEL
New York, NY
Michaela Grob

HOW ARE YOU IN ONE WORD?
Serious

ONE WAY YOU ARE COPING..
I try to keep a routine. I keep my walks with my dog in the mornings, I work out, just like on a regular day…

ONE TIP FOR THOSE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW..
Stay nourished! Now more than ever.

FAVE COMFORT FOOD..
chocolate

ONE FOOD YOU CAN’T GET AND MISS..
Certain Austrian pastries …

YOUR SILVER LINING..
This too shall pass

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT YOU RIGHT NOW? (OR if you’d prefer, your favorite charity to support!)
We just set up an online store and will start shipping next week. Check it out and please share: www.riverdelcheese.com. We always appreciate any support and also offer some discount on our gift cards (see IG for codes). But, as much as we need support, my heart goes out to all the animal sanctuaries, as they depend on donations even more so now. Consider donating to one of the newer and/or smaller ones like this one: http://sisurefuge.org

A FAVORITE RECIPE..
I love breakfasts…as much as I love cheese. One of my favorites, easiest and delicious is a simply overnight oat-chia-nuts- breakfast with homemade oat milk:
2-3 tbsp oats
1-2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp coarsely chopped nuts or seeds
1 tbsp of some dried fruits or berries (goji berries, or freeze dried strawberries)
Optional: cacao nibs, coconut shreds, protein powder, etc. Anything goes and any variations works. I like to make a “Pina colada” version with dried pineapples, coconut shreds & Brazil nuts
or “Strawberry chocolate” with freeze dried strawberries, cocao powder, cocoa nibs and hazelnuts
I prefer oat milk because it’s quick & easy (no soaking needed) and the pulp makes a great breakfast too: 1 cup oats (quickly rinsed, not soaked!) & 3-4 cups water, pinch of salt. Blend for 20-25 seconds max. Strain in nut milk bag or just with a fine mesh strainer…done!

THANKS, MICHAELA!

Stay cool!
VSU

MARCH MAYHEM! Vegan Shop-Up! March 14th

WELCOME TO THE SNACKDOME. Come on down and see what’s new at the March Mayhem! Vegan Shop-Up! Saturday, March 14th, 12-5pm, at Brooklyn’s vegan bar, Pine Box Rock Shop. Discover the best locally made, vegan foods, goods, and more at NYC’s all vegan pop-up market!

*** COVID19 UPDATE ***

VSU is happening tomorrow (Saturday!) but not business as usual. PLEASE read on AND see our IG stories for updates and details! In order to proceed with the market, given the state of our local COVID19 situation, we’ve made some modifications for the sake of following the city’s latest recommended precautions.
1) We’ll have fewer vendors
2) We’re limiting guest occupancy to 35 people at a time (yes, excluding vendors/staff), so expect to wait on line to enter
3) All attendees will be required to sanitize their hands upon entry, with a solution provided by the bar
4) Pine Box Rock Shop will open at 12:00
5) All vendors and their employees are required to wear gloves, whether handling food or not.
We’re cautiously carrying on in order to help small businesses in this particularly difficult time and also provide you the peeps with some good vegan grub and a lil normality. THANK YOU for your patience and support as we navigate this evolving pandemic and try to make it safe and favorable for everyone involved. Don’t forget to byo tupperware AND express courtesy if there’s a line of people waiting to get inside. Weather looks warmish, so deff a good day to eat outside too. And remember, attendance is optional! Only come out if you’re comfortable doing so. STAY WELL & SEE YOU SOON.

*************

Start droolin’..… Tacos + Stuffed Pizza Bread + Croissants + Breakfast Sandwiches + Jamaican Patties + Deli Sandwiches + Crabless Cakes + Scones + GF Coconut Cream Pie + Marinated Mozzarella + Spinach Mac n Cheese + GF Irish Soda Muffins + Buffalo Cauliflower Bites + Cultured Butter + Cinnamon Buns + Bacon Egg n Cheese Bread + GF Choc Chip Cookies + Romesco Sauce + Hair Care + Soaps + MORE!

Check out NEW VENDOR Suspiro Bakeshop!  See the full VENDOR LINEUP HERE.

Come snack n sip n shop cruelty free! DON’T FORGET to BYO to-go containers and shopping bags to cut the waste!  We’ll have VSU totes for sale too! (If you’re under 21 you can only enter the market with a parent or legal guardian, so plan accordingly.)

Take this opportunity to SAVE THE DATE for the next VSU! See more future dates in the sidebar.

–  April 11th

MARCH OF THE VEGANS.

All Shopped-Up,
VSU

Saturday, March 14th
12- 5p
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan St.
Bushwick, Bk
FREE!
21+

10TH ANNUAL! Vegan Valentines Shop-Up! February 15th

VALEN-TENS DAY. It’s our birthday month! All hearts on deck as we celebrate a big ol’ milestone with the 10th Annual! Vegan Valentines Shop-Up! Saturday, February 15th, 12-5pm, at Brooklyn’s vegan bar, Pine Box Rock Shop. Discover the best locally made, vegan foods, goods, and more at NYC’s all vegan pop-up market!

Live it up, lovers! We’re hosting a FREE RAFFLE + GIVEAWAYS!

Pine Box will be open at 11:00am to get your My Bloody Valentine Mary’s ordered early! VSU starts at noon, but here’s your chance to sneak in early, grab a seat, and scope your belated valentine.

• 11:00! – Door goodies!
  – We’re giving away Smarties Love Hearts candies! (Thanks Smarties!!)
  – AND one raffle ticket per guest at the door!
• 12:00!
  – We’re giving away our Eco Canvas VSU Tote Bags to the first 20 guests!
  – AND our Limited Edition Valentines VSU Sticker Sheets (hand drawn by Merida Anderson!) While supplies last!
  – Stay tuned for added goodies!

RAFFLE! (One ticket per guest at the door! Winners drawn at 4:00! Must be present to win!) with generous offerings from Lagusta’s Luscious / Confectionery + The Fanciful Fox + Little Choc Apothecary + Pine Box Rock Shop + Riverdel + Rockaway Gypsea + MooShoes + Orchard Grocer  + Bunna Cafe + Terms of Endearment + Blackbird Foods!

AND we’re updating our poster wall exhibition featuring original works of local art from every single VSU event! EVER!

Start droolin’..… Mushroom BLTs + BBQ Jackfruit Sammies + Danishes + Chicken Fried Seitan + Ganache Filled Doughnuts + Fruity Pop Tarts + Dark Chocolate Bars + Seitan Burritos + Buffalo Chik’n Mac n Cheese + Heart-Shaped Cheese + Grilled Cheese + Croissants + Empanadas + Bon Bon Boxes + Raw Raspberry Cheesecake + Cinnamon Buns + Bacon Egg n Cheese + GF Brownies + Body Care + Candles + MORE!

Check out NEW VENDOR Ipe Kitchen!  See the full VENDOR LINEUP HERE.

Come eat your heart out, shop cruelty free, and party heart-y! DON’T FORGET to BYO to-go containers and shopping bags to cut the waste!  We’ll have VSU totes for sale too! (If you’re under 21 you can only enter the market with a parent or legal guardian, so plan accordingly.)

Take this opportunity to SAVE THE DATE for the next VSU! See more future dates in the sidebar.

–  March 14th

LOVE POTION #10.

All Shook-Up,
VSU

Saturday, February 15th
12- 5p
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan St.
Bushwick, Bk
FREE!
21+

HERE WE GO AGAIN! Vegan Shop-Up! January 11th

BRING IT ON. We’re diving into a new decade of VSU! Jump on in next Saturday at the Here We Go Again! Vegan Shop-Up! Saturday, January 11th, 12-5pm, at Brooklyn’s vegan bar, Pine Box Rock Shop. Discover the best locally made, vegan foods, goods, and more at NYC’s all vegan pop-up market!

Pine Box will open at 11:00am to get the weekend off to a proper boozy start! VSU starts at noon, but here’s your chance to claim an early seat and whet your whistle.

Ready set..… Burgers + Jerk Seitan + Filled Doughnuts + Mac n Cheese + Fried Chik’n Sandwiches + Marinated Mozzarella + Biscuits & Gravy + Croissants + Cheesesteak Empanadas + GF Bon Bons + Curried Oxtail + Cookie Dough Brownies + Seitan Shawarma + GF Pecan Pie + Cultured Butter + Seitan Deli Sandwiches + Chopped Cheese + Body Care + Candles + MORE!

Check out NEW VENDORS Valentine Burger Co., Simply Mary’s and Elderflower!  See the full VENDOR LINEUP HERE.

Come hang, shop cruelty free, and snack snack snack! DON’T FORGET to BYO to-go containers and shopping bags to cut the waste!  We’ll have VSU totes for sale too! (If you’re under 21 you can only enter the market with a parent or legal guardian, so plan accordingly.)

Take this opportunity to SAVE THE DATES for the next VSU! See more future dates in the sidebar.

–  February 15th

ON YOUR MARKS..

All Shopped-Up,
VSU

Saturday, January 11th
12- 5p
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan St.
Bushwick, Bk
FREE!
21+

HOLIDAZE: PART 2! Vegan Shop-Up! December 14th

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN. We’re fast approaching the last VSU of the year and more incredibly, the DECADE! We’ll have plenty of  ho ho holiday spirit this Saturday at the Holidaze: Part 2! Vegan Shop-Up! Saturday, December 14th, 12-5pm, at Brooklyn’s vegan bar, Pine Box Rock Shop. Discover the best locally made, vegan foods, gifty goods, and more at NYC’s all vegan pop-up market!

Pine Box will be open at 11:00am to seize the season asap! VSU starts at noon, but here’s your chance to claim an early seat and cheers with cheer.

** The L train IS running!!! (just every 20min or so!) **

Season’s Eatings..… Mole Seitan Ribs + Jamaican Beef Patties + Filled Doughnuts + Nachos + Fried Buffalo Seitan Wings + Cran Orange Croissants + Triple Decker Brownies + Apple Danishes + Baked Mac n Cheese + GF Macaron Gift Boxes + Philly Cheesesteaks + Chocolate Gelt + Curried Oxtail + Italian Butter Cookies + Eggnog Cake + Seitan Shawarma + GF Pecan Pie + Thanksgiving Crags + Mini Spruce Cakes + Rainbow Cookies + Tamales + Seitan To-Go Packs + Gingerbread Macarons + GF Mint Choc Bon Bons + Chopped Cheese + Lip Balms + Hair Care + Candles + Nail Polish + MORE!

Check out NEW VENDORS UnSoul Food and eLo Vegan Lifestyle!  See the full VENDOR LINEUP HERE.

Grab a Jack Frost cocktail(mint chocolate!), some cruelty-free gifts, snacks for holiday parties, hit up the photo booth, and eat your grinch-of-a-heart out! DON’T FORGET to BYO to-go containers and shopping bags to cut the waste!  We’ll have VSU totes for sale too! (If you’re under 21 you can only enter the market with a parent or legal guardian, so plan accordingly.)

Take this opportunity to SAVE THE DATES for the next few VSU’s! See more future dates in the sidebar.

–  January 11th
–  February 15th

SNOWPLACE LIKE VSU.

All Shopped-Up,
VSU

Saturday, December 14th
12- 5p
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan St.
Bushwick, Bk
FREE!
21+

HOLIDAZE: PART 1! Vegan Shop-Up! December 7th

HERE WE SNOW AGAIN. The holidays are HERE and as per usual we’re bringing you two (2!) VSU’s in December! Get into the spirit with us this Saturday at the Holidaze: Part 1! Vegan Shop-Up! Saturday, December 7th, 12- 5pm, at Brooklyn’s vegan bar, Pine Box Rock Shop. Discover the best locally made, vegan foods, gifty goods, and more at NYC’s all vegan pop-up market!

SAVE THE DATE for the HOLIDAZE: PART 2! Vegan Shop-Up! on Saturday, December 14th!

Pine Box will be open at 11:00am to kick into high Bloody Mary gear! VSU starts at noon, but here’s your chance to claim an early seat and seize the season asap.

** The L train IS running!!! (just every 20min or so!) **

Get ready..… Fried Chick’n Sandwiches + Bibimpab + Local Tempeh + Croissant Sandwiches + Bacon Egg n Cheese Sammies + Sushi + Chocolate Gelt + Buffalo Chik’n Mac n Cheese + GF Apple Spice Cheesecake + GF Pecan Pie + Strawberry Coconut Cream Cheese + Cultured Lavender Butter + Seitan To-Go Packs + Caramashew Bon Bons + Tiramisu Cups + Seitan Deli Sandwiches + Banana Pudding Cheesecake + Aged Cashew Cheese + Raw Raspberry Chocolate Cake + Marinated Mozzarella + Burger Mac n Cheese + Breakfast Empanadas + Skin Care + Candles + Jewelry + MORE!

Check out NEW VENDORS Monty’s NYC and Clara Cakes!  See the full VENDOR LINEUP HERE.
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Cozy up with a cup of cheer, grab some cruelty-free gifts, stock up for holiday parties, and scope the best in local vegan! DON’T FORGET to BYO to-go containers and shopping bags to cut the waste!  (If you’re under 21 you can only enter the market with a parent or legal guardian, so plan accordingly.)

Take this opportunity to SAVE THE DATES for the next few VSU’s! See more future dates in the sidebar.

–  December 14th
–  January 11th

HO HO HOPE TO SEE U THERE.

All Shopped-Up,
VSU

Saturday, December 7th
12- 5p
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan St.
Bushwick, Bk
FREE!
21+