Plant-based eaters of Portland: Put down that green juice and nooch-covered mac and cheese. Stop everything and get out your calendar and a pen. You’re gonna wanna write ALL of this down! Because this weekend NorthWest VEG presents an event we have all been anxiously awaiting: Portland VegFest!!! It runs from 10:00am-5pm on Saturday the 13th, and Sunday the 14th. So many hours of food samples, nutrition tips, fitness advice, film screenings, and much more for like, the cost of two soy lattes (word on the street is you can get 2 for 1 admission here: http://portland.altperks.com/product/8213641/good-for-two-admissions-32-dollars-value-at-portland-vegfest). Meat lovers, listen up! I know the word VEG don’t necessarily seem like your bag, but I am telling you IT IS! You eat vegetables, right? You’d like to be healthy and fit, no? And I’m sure helping out animals and the environment with your food choices isn’t something you’re opposed to, right? Then, like I said, this event is for you TOO!!! This is a perfect way to immerse yourself in information (‘cuz that never hurt anyone, am I right?), get ideas on ways to include more plant-based food in your diet (hello, Meatless Mondays), and get ideas on how to test the vegan or vegetarian waters. And I’m pretty sure that free samples of chips, chai, and kombucha are enough to get any Portlander’s attention, vegan or not!
You. Guys. I am so excited to be at this event. Can you tell? Ok, well let me stop gushing for a moment and give you all the pertinent info on this year’s VegFest! There is so much to do, see, and eat this year you may want to create a schedule so you can do as much as humanly possible! Also, this is a great event to take friends to that are “curious” about a vegan diet or lifestyle. The best way to open up people’s minds and hearts is with amazing food, intelligent advice, and thought provoking films. VegFest has all of that and more.
Ok, let’s talk FOOD!!! Let’s just say I like kombucha A LOT. And I am super pumped that Healthy Ade is going to be at the fest dishing the goods on their small batch kombucha (they have unique flavors like BEET! And it’s AWESOME!), as well as local tea purveyor, Townshend’s with their stellar Brew Dr. Kombucha! Continuing on the drink front, Blue Lotus Chai will be there and I don’t know about you, but during these cold, rainy months here in the Northwest, you could hook me up to a hot chai IV drip and I would be good to go. And speaking of treats, have you ever had Cocomel’s Coconut Milk Caramels? Well, you need to, STAT! And as soon as you’ve digested that caramel-y goodness make room for some Missionary Chocolate (OMG the Lavender Dark Chocolate is unbelievable). Now, to finish off your tour de sweets, check out Petunia’s Pies and Pastries. Pretty sure I’m using them to bake my cake for my upcoming wedding and I am heartily looking forward to fooling all my omnivore family members with their amazing vegan and gluten-free baked goods.
If you have the room, keep going because there are so many plant-filled samples to be had! If sweets aren’t ringing your bell, check out Beanfield’s chips, or maybe Better Bean for some outrageous beans! And. Wait for it. Vtopia Cheese is going to be at the fest. Oh. My Goodness. If you’re like me, I am less than thrilled with most vegan cheeses, I mean, I appreciate the effort but, most of the time, I’d rather just go without it. That was before Vtopia opened up. They have a fantastic nut cheeses created the same way REAL cheese is made. They don’t make it with weird stuff, just nut milk and cultures! Hallelujah! Side note: if you have a chance after or before the fest, check out their shop in Goose Hollow. Holy moly, their Paninis!! Are you drooling? I just ate but I’m seriously considering jumping in the car with my red flannel pajamas on and heading to Vtopia for some melty, cheesy goodness.
Now that you’ve filled your bellies, it’s time to check out some awesome speakers and films! One word guys: Cowspiracy! If you haven’t seen this now is your chance! It’s also a great film to share with your friends who are interested in exploring a diet with less or no meat. Also, there will be a ton of phenomenal speakers discussing topics that concern us all. Dr. Paulette Chandler will be at the fest Saturday discussing the role of nutrition in cancer development and survival at 2pm and 3:30pm. Laura Sadowski will be there Saturday as well discussing the art of gluten-free baking, something that interests many of us who eat a plant-based diet, but also have either a gluten intolerance or celiac. She is speaking at 5pm. Another speaker to make note of is Sid Garza-Hillman who will be discussing how to raise healthy and happy vegan children at 12:30pm on Sunday. There will also be a few more films playing at the fest, Q & A from experts, much more food samples, beauty and fashion exhibitors (my FAVORITE, 100% Pure will be there), lots and lots of great panel discussion, talks by prominent figures in the health and wellness community, and so much more!
What else is at the fest? Yoga? Check. Vegan cheese alternative discussions? Check. Vegan athlete panel? Check and check. Discussions about what to cook when you’re transitioning to a plant-based diet? Yes, sir. Even if you dream of opening a vegan food cart here in the food cart capital of the world, yes even you will have your questions answered! Hooray! Also, another side note: Miyoko Schinner will be in the house BOTH days. Most vegans don’t need me to explain who she is but for those of you who don’t know I will leave you with this: Miyoko is a vegan cheese creating goddess and it is in your best interest to attend this years VegFest and hear her speak. You won’t be disappointed!
Well, veggie lovers, I could go on and on but that would be like describing an entire book from cover to cover and then telling you to read it. You have to EXPERIENCE it yourself!!!! It’s going to be a blast, and I am so stoked to see all the animal lovers here in PDX this weekend! Don’t forget to visit their website https://nwveg.org/vegfest for more info and to snag tickets before they sell out. Also, hit up their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/PortlandVegFest to get up to the minute info. And if you’re the twittering sort, post your favorite moments at the fest and make all your friends who didn’t cough up the $8 bucks majorly jealous on their Twitter page https://twitter.com/NorthwestVEG. Again, it’s totally affordable (skip the two donuts you were gonna buy from Back to Eden for ONE day and use that green to attend Veg Fest. Trust me, they won’t get offended ‘cuz they know you’ll be back on Monday). Take care, Portland and see you next weekend November 13th-14th at Portland VegFest!!
Event Info:
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Exhibit Hall and Speaker Rooms: 10am-6pm
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Exhibit Hall: 10am-5pm, Speaker Rooms: 10am-6pm
Oregon Convention Center – Exhibit Hall A
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Admission:
- The cost of the event is $8.
- Students and Seniors 62+ are $5 with ID, one per person.
- Children 12 and under are free.
- Tickets available at the event.
- Advance tickets available through TicketsWest. Use code “2015PDXVF” to received $1 discount.
Prana Gaze 