What I love about this song is that the message is absolutely universal.  I was so honored to sing it at the Animal Rights Conference 2010 during the morning plenary featuring vegan Congressman Dennis Kucinich. What an opportunity!

If you would like to hear and/or purchase “Love All,” please click here.  I will be filming a video for this song soon for Harmony Records.

Thank you so much for your support!

There are three upcoming events I want to publicize. On Wednesday, September 29th, Tayst is having a VEGANstravaganza, which will be a five course dinner with wine pairings. Wow! I’ve had the privilege of tasting Jeremy Barlow’s vegan creations and I have very high expectations about this dinner. Anyone want to treat?

UPDATE:  Due to overwhelming response and the event selling out with a HUGE waiting list (yay!!!), Tayst has added a second vegan dinner on October 16th at 6:30.  Call for reservations now!

I’m also very excited to announce a screening of the movie Forks Over Knives at The Belcourt on October 6th at 7:00.  I am SO excited to finally see this film.  I have been hearing about it for months and I am such a huge fan of the doctors featured.  I’m sure it’s going to be great.  Don’t miss this opportunity!

Farm Sanctuary is an organization that is near and dear to my heart. President and co-founder Gene Baur is an incredible man and he and the sanctuary have done so much to care for animals and raise awareness about factory farming, etc.  There is a Walk for Farm Animals that benefits Farm Sanctuary in Nashville on October 3rd.  You can register to participate here.

Go, Nashville!

Vegan Panna Cotta at Tayst

How can you help? Check out these links for more information:

Middle TN Red Cross
Nashvillest.com
Hands On Nashville

For more photos of the disaster, check out president raygun’s Flickr page. Also, check out this video on YouTube.

Positive thoughts for Middle Tennessee, the areas affected by the oil spill (and the world in general) are also much appreciated.  Thank you!

Here in Nashville, we can finally get the Go Max Go bars, which are amazing.  We have several places to buy Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss and Purely Decadent coconut milk ice cream and we have several options for vegan baked goods.

Vegan junk food lovers (and those of us who eat really healthily most of the time, but splurge every once in a while) in the Nashville area, rejoice again!

Word on the street is that Whole Foods in Nashville will start carrying Daiya vegan cheese soon, but in the meantime, Lazzaroli Pasta in the Germantown area has the Italian blend.  I just bought a pound the other day!  Lazzaroli’s will also make vegan pasta for you if you give them 24 hours notice.  I hear it’s awesome, and Tom told me yesterday he’s thinking of filling some ravioli with Daiya and other yummy vegan stuff.  Give him a call if you’re interested.  Sure sounds good to me!

I also have heard good things about the vegan donuts at Get Sconed in Murfreesboro.  I swear I’m going to get down there soon to try them, but I just haven’t been in the mood for all that sugar, flour and oil…  Still, I can’t help but feel like Middle Tennessee deserves a big pat on the back.  I tell people all the time that it’s not a bad place to be vegan, but hardly anyone seems to believe me.  Sure, it’s not California, but we’re making progress!

Now tell me again how I’m missing out on anything by being vegan?  Ok, convenience?  Yeah, sometimes.  But incredible, delicious food?  Nope.

My Daiya from Lazzaroli

Not only do I own at least seventy pairs of non-leather shoes, I also have a whole bunch of handbags as well.  Some of my favorites are by Matt & Nat and Crystalyn Kae.  (Not all Crystalyn Kae bags are vegan, so check before you buy.  Better yet, why not write to the company and request that they go vegan!)

One great thing about vegan fashion today is its evolution to more eco-friendly materials.  PVC isn’t exactly the best stuff to wear or carry around with you, but animal skins aren’t exactly eco-friendly either when you consider the methane given off by all those cows, the pesticides that end up in the water and earth around factory farms and the chemicals used to tan the leather.  Still, brands like Crystalyn Kae use glazed fabrics, which look and feel like leather and there are always products made of canvas, hemp, etc. to be found.  Matt & Nat is now lining their purses with recycled water bottles.

A simple Google search makes it all easier than ever to keep your accessories in line with your ethics.

Vegan Drinks Nashville is happening!  Come to the Bound’ry on Tuesday, February 2nd from 7-9 pm to meet, network and socialize with other Nashville vegans.   The Bound’ry will be working with us on vegan drink specials and appetizers.   If you’re vegan or even veg-curious, I hope you’ll join us!

For more information on Vegan Drinks, click here.  If you’d like to help, invite friends, etc., please see our Facebook page.  See you there!