Cleveland Metroparks opens Merwin's Wharf!!!

Cleveland Metroparks opens Merwin's Wharf!

As if the Cleveland Metroparks couldn't get any cooler, they just opened their first full-service restaurant!!!

Merwin's Wharf located at 1785 Merwin Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113, opened this past Tuesday (7/22/14)!

A quick look at their menu and it looks like vegans can hang here too!

They have:

Vega-nachos: Pita chips served with black bean hummus, guacamole, pico de gallo, freshly pickled jalapenos and black olives

Black Bean Burger: Homemade veggie burger served on a brioche bun and topped with house pickles, fresh dill, basil aioli and roasted tomatoes
Portabello Melt: Grilled portabello mushroom, pickled red onion, pickled carrot, arugula and goat cheese on grilled sourdough bread (ask for some sliced avocado instead of the goat cheese)

There are salads, but you guys know how I feel about salads so I won't even mention them.

I have not been there myself and cannot confirm if these are actually 100% vegan offerings, but they sound very promising.

Check it out!

Penzeys Spices - The Best Spices!

My latest haul

When it comes to vegan cooking, flavor is everything and without top notch spices, you're not going to be a happy camper.  Yes, you can easily buy your spices at the grocer, but there's a problem with that - spices typically only last for 6 months, after that, they start to lose their potency.  Well, do you have any idea how long your spice was sitting on the shelf before you got your hands on it?  And lets be honest, are you really going to use it up in 6 months?  For that reason, I hit Penzeys Spices because I am guaranteed a fresh spice every time.  That and I swear on a Oprah's "Favorite Things" show she said Penzeys Spices was her go-to spice shop.  I can't argue with Oprah.

You can't beat Penzeys variety; with over 250 spices, herbs and seasonings, they always have what I'm looking for!  My must have spices are: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, Italian Seasoning, Cinnamon and Pumpkin Spice.

Their prices are very reasonable too - anywhere from $3.99 for a 1/4 cup jar of Cinnamon up to $28 for a whole pound (that's a lot of cinnamon).

I love that their spices come in glass bottles and that you can also buy in bulk, skip the bottle and use your own containers - if you don't recall, check out my kick ass spice drawer!

Plus they are always giving something away for free!  Even when I forget to use a coupon, they send me something extra.

If you're looking for a unique gift for the aspiring chef in your life, they have a variety of gift sets for all types of budgets!

While I typically order online, Penzeys has brick and mortar shops across the country.  Including our very own Cleveland Westside Market (United Bank Bldg, 2000 West 25th Street)!

Request their catalog or download one!

Check'em out!

Organics At Your Door

Organics At Your Door

Real Food. Delivered.

 Free home delivery of local, organic food.  

 I'm intrigued, tell me more!

Founded in 2007 (why am I just now discovering them?), Organics At Your Door is the first organic & local food delivery service in Ohio!

Delivering for FREE to the following counties: Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Wayne & Summit.

This company/farm has partnered with numerous other small organic farms all over Ohio to provide organic produce, meats, dairy, bakery, honey and syrup.

The main business is via CSA, with a variety of options (sadly nothing vegan/vegetarian) that best fit your needs.  A weekly box is available for those with commitment issues, as well as a 20lb Juice Bag perfect for daily juicing.  Additional chicken, beef and honey can be purchased a la carte.

Deliveries are available every Saturday & Sunday. 

Check out what to expect in a weekly CSA share.

Go Local, Go Organic!
The Hoff

Vitacost Goes Cruelty-Free!

 As if Vitacost couldn't get any more awesome with their hard to find vegan health foods & organic beauty products all with prices up to 50% off retail & delivered right to your door for free (need to spend $49 bucks)!!!

They just got cooler.

Vitacost has launched their own cruelty-free beauty products store!  To top that off, this store has been certified by the Leaping Bunny, a program developed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) to end animal testing.  Making shopping cruelty-free, easy!

There are over 40 cruelty-free brands in this line-up including my personal favorites:

• Alba Botanica
• Beauty Without Cruelty
• Dr Bronners
• Ecco Bella
• Jason
• Mrs. Meyers

Learn more about animal testing & Leaping Bunny!



Shoot me your name & email, if you'd like to be referred for a $10 coupon (new customers only)!

Because animals shouldn't have to suffer for our beauty!

Shop Cruelty-Free!
The Hoff