Return to Portland: Vida Vegan Con Bound!

This weekend is finally the Vida Vegan Con in Portland, Oregon! It's been about a year since it was announced and I was kindly asked to participate in it. First on Saturday is the panel Small Town Represent! which also includes Lauren from Whoa Wren, Ryan from T.O.F.U. Magazine, Bianca from Vegan Crunk and moderated by Elizabeth Castoria, Managing Editor of VegNews. Then Sunday is the presentation Product Reviews and Ethics. Joining me is Kyle from Vegan Vagrant, MeShell from Prarie Vegan and once again the Queen of Vegan Crunk, Bianca!

When I'm not busy from all the Vida Vegan awesomeness, I'd like to hit up some of my favorite Portland hot spots. On the food side of things, the must do's for me are Portabello, VooDoo Doughnut (must. have. grape. donut.), Vita Cafe, Food Fight Grocery, Native Bowl, Paradox Cafe and Homegrown Smoker. For fun I want to hang out at 2nd Avenue Records, Ground Kontrol and Powell's Books.

For those of you who have not been to Portland, make sure you get there one of these days! For someone like me who lives in the most meat-centric part of the country it definitely gave me hope. Maybe someday in the future you will be able to walk into any restaurant or convenience store and there will be tons of Vegan items. But in the meantime, come to Portland, check out Stumptown Vegans and CHOWDOWN!

The Laziest Vegans Top Ten Asks Jess Scone

If you don’t know who Jess Scone is you are clearly a Vegan without an internet connection. Her blog Get Sconed covers her kitchen adventures in Vegan heaven Portland, Oregon. When she’s not busy in her own kitchen, Jess is out sampling food from food carts and restaurants, and reviewing them on Stumptown Vegans. But her awesomeness doesn’t end there - Jess also organizes the Vegan Iron Chef Competition, a food battle to end all food battles. And this year she is one of the organizers of Vida Vegan Con, which I have been graciously asked to attend. Vida Vegan is shaping up to be THE Vegan event of the year. Now, after all these achievements, Jess answers the call of a lifetime...the Laziest Vegans Top Ten!

What is your favorite veggie burger?
Well, it’s been years and you can’t find them in the Northwest, but Soy Boy Okarara Courage Burgers seriously used to be one of my food groups during my young vegan college days. I loved their dense, salty texture. I also have a soft spot for the original Sunshine Burgers - mostly because they’re green inside.

What is you favorite frozen dinner?
I have to be honest, frozen food that isn’t vegan ice cream usually creeps me out and this is very new to me, but baked Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders + some sweet and spicy mustard are sure tasty and easy to make (although pricey)!

What is your favorite ice cream?
So Delicious Cherry Nirvana is high up there.

What is your favorite chip or cracker?
It’s been a while, but I think the Eco Planet nooch crackers are great. Plus, they’re cutesy and probably made for children, and that’s what I really look for in a cracker.

What is your favorite cereal?
I can’t even remember the last time I ate cereal, so I’ll say Peanut Butter Panda Puffs, or anything else you can make into a marshmallow krispie bar.

What is your favorite candy?
Totally Sour Straws.

What is your favorite cookie?
Favorite Homemade = The chocolate chip cookie recipe from Vegan Cookies Take Over the World.
Favorite Store-bought = Peppermint Candy Cane Joe Joe’s.
Favorite Local Cookie = the giant white chocolate chip cookies from Back to Eden Bakery.

What three pre-packaged food items would you take to a desert island?
Wayfare Hickory Cheese spread, Lily’s Smoked Tomato hummus and a never-ending bag of tortilla chips.

Name a product you would like Veganized?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Wait? What? Then the bright green, mini chocolate chip filled Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream from Carvel.

What are your favorite local and/or online stores for Vegan products?
Food Fight! Vegan Grocery, New Seasons Market & Peoples Coop.

And that concludes The Laziest Vegans Top Ten. Thanks Jess!