Review at a glanceH

aydns The Seasons has always been overshadowed by his other great oratorio, The Creation. Even the composer opined disparagingly that the characters in the latter were angels, whereas in the former they were peasants.

But the celebration of divinity in nature by Haydns progressive, Enlightenment-influenced librettist Baron Van Swieten, is music to the ears of a more sceptical generation such as ours. Less prejudiced by theological concerns, we may more clearly discern the musical virtues of the work.

And they are many, as was confirmed in this exhilarating performance by the Academy of Ancient Music chorus and orchestra under Laurence Cummings, with a skilfully Miltonian pastiche of an English translation by Paul McCreesh. There are at least two choruses that in their cumulative exuberance equal the celebrated The Heavens are Telling in The Creation and an astonishing wealth of mood and word-painting that exceeds even that of Haydns acknowledged masterpiece.

The cockerels raucous call (a squawking oboe) and the hunters gunshot (timpani) attracted sniffy comments from Haydns contemporaries, but to our ears, those and the summer rainstorm effects (the initial patter of rain on pizzicato strings, lightning flashes on flute, thunder on drum) seem delightful. As does the witty portrayal of a bagpipe drone by groaning strings and a glorious sunrise crowned by blazing trumpets. Theres even an anticipation of the Spinning Chorus from Wagners Flying Dutchman, not to be written for another 40 years.

The progress of the seasons was charted in stylishly evocative visuals provided by the Nina Dunn Studio, projected not on a screen but on the rear wall of the Barbican stage, whose wooden panelling provided a suitable backdrop for the bucolic scenes.

Haydn may have been dismissive of his peasants, but he would surely have been delighted by the three in this presentation: Rachel Nicholls and Benjamin Hulett as soprano and tenor soloists, rough in faux-bumpkin attire but gleaming in vocal allure, and Jonathan Lemalu, whose burnished bass-baritone, shot through with amber and gold hues like a seasoned cognac, offered exceptional pleasure on each reappearance.

Theres next to no operatic-style characterisation in The Seasons, but this trio did the best they could, with help from Martin Parr as staging director. Not until Autumn (the third section) do we learn that the names of the young couple are Hannah and Lucas and a frisson of love interest allowed them here to hold hands.

The final season is Winter, which begins in icy gloom but ends in jubilation. The conclusion may be a religious affirmation, but theres more than a touch of Van Swietens Enlightenment idealism. Haydn rose magnificently to the occasion and may even have surprised himself.

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The Seasons at the Barbican review: exhilarating performance by the Academy of Ancient Music - Evening Standard

Human resource management is the building block of any successful business. Any business whether it is small or large is incomplete without human resources management. It allows companies to have a better return on talent through assistance with HR outsourcing, recruiting, and strategic planning. Additionally, HR helps to improve a companys bottom line through expert knowledge of how human capital affects the organizations success and assisting decision-making that underlies current staffing assessments and projections for future workforce needs.

Human resource management is very important for any organization through assisting with mitigating compliance and employer liability issues. Through experience with employee relations, HR professionals help to minimize the organizations exposure and liability related to allegations of unfair employment practices through investigations and resolve issues to minimize federal and state discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and other EEO-related lawsuits. HR also works diligently to ensure that organizations comply with federal state employment laws.

HR is essential to help organizations achieve their goals and reinforces the culture therein. A company maintains growth with the help and contribution of its employees, which makes HR management a crucial part of any organization. When HR management is done effectively and correctly, it helps to place new employees according to their skill set so that companys goals can be achieved, and their objectives can be met properly. As it is said in a famous quotation by Zig Ziglar You dont build a business. You build people, then people build the business.

If you are also looking for human resource management for your organization, then Corporate Ready is the perfect fit for you. They will help you manage your employees and provide you with integrated solutions that will help your business to accelerate in the marketplace.

About Corporate Ready

Corporate Ready is a human resource management consulting firm. Its main mission is to provide its clients with integrated human resource solutions that will be able to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers. They work by developing strategic partnerships with their clients that help them to find, hire, develop and retain talent for maximum benefit.

Services provided by Corporate Ready include recruitment, staffing, talent hunt, talent optimization, outplacement services, and workforce development. They also offer human resource consultation, policy drafting, training, and development. Other than that they also help job seekers to write effective resumes, and provide them with career coaching and one on one professional development training.

In short, they offer blended professional development and workforce development solutions through Corporate Ready Institute, eLearning by Corporate Ready (www.corporatereadyinstitute.com). So, if you are a business looking for the perfect human resource management team for your business growth, then give Corporate Ready a go.

Media ContactCompany Name: Corporate Ready Contact Person: Cierrina Rice Email: Send EmailPhone: 256-479-0635Country: United StatesWebsite: https://www.corporateready.net/

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Corporate Ready Advantages of hiring an outside HR consultant (for small/medium businesses) - Digital Journal

Republicans have a certain obligation to act as if everything President Biden does is an assault on American values. His sweeping pardons this week of thousands who were jailed for marijuana possession and announcement that the drugs federal classification will be reevaluated are no exception.

But, perhaps because the nation overwhelmingly believes that cannabis should be legal, and the issue doesnt stoke the culture war like matters of race, gender, and sexuality, the right-wing outrage machine had a mostly quiet reaction to these executive orders. Indeed, over the past year or so, several high-profile Republicans have actively pushed similar efforts. In May 2021, Rep. Dave Joyce and Rep. Don Young, of Ohio and Alaska, proposed to take cannabis off the federal list of controlled substances. And last November, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a bill to decriminalize and regulate pot.

The extreme conservatives who did take a stab at condemning Dank Brandon could barely muster a reason to be angry. Sen. Tom Cotton and Newsweeks right-wing opinion editor Josh Hammer both took the line that many of the pardons were going to violent criminals who had pled down from much more serious charges. Neither was able to cite such a case. Ann Coulter, in a short Substack post, simply imagined one.

Meanwhile, the Daily Wire, which has previously run teeth-gnashing coverage on the physical, mental, and emotional problems associated with marijuana, published one straightforward news story on Bidens move toward decriminalization and approximately ten times as much coverage of Tucker Carlson interviewing Kanye West. That outlets editor emeritus, Ben Shapiro, who this year said of weed, The Left really does wish to inoculate us all into submission, did not seem to address the pardons at all.

On Fox News, Laura Ingraham made a very half-hearted slippery slope argument, pointing out that after Oregon legalized pot for recreational use, they also decriminalized possession of small amounts of cocaine, heroin, and meth, which is now punishable by a $100 fine. What exactly is being threatened here? Oregon didnt collapse into anarchy. Its a nice place to visit or live, in fact. And the law couldnt have passed without support from some of the states many conservative voters.

Renae Eze, press secretary for Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, tried to sound tough and defiant when addressing whether her boss would pardon state-level marijuana offenses as Biden encouraged. Texas is not in the habit of taking criminal justice advice from the leader of the defund police party and someone who has overseen a criminal justice system run amok with cashless bail and a revolving door for violent criminals, she told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram even though Abbott stated earlier this year that he thinks pot should be decriminalized.

No, it looks like the GOPs heart isnt in this fight, and the best a few mouthpieces can do is cycle through the motions. It makes sense: the partys legislators have already seen the writing on the wall, and their constituents desire for an end to the prohibition of cannabis. Few would find any benefit to standing in the way, and that group of hard-liners is rapidly dwindling. Besides, all Biden has actually done so far is expunge the criminal records of several thousand people no longer behind bars.

If the country continues in this direction, when weed finally becomes legal throughout the U.S., there may be no one left to get mad about it.

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Only a Handful of Conservatives Bothered to Phone in Their Fury at Bidens Pot Pardons - Rolling Stone

Pro-LGBTQ Sen. Mark Kelly and Republican nutjob Blake Masters squared off in a televised debate hosted by Arizona PBS last night and nobody was more parched by it than Ann Coulter.

The 60-year-old homophobe spent a good chunk of the hour-long debate thirsting over 36-year-old Masters, who has never held public office before and is trailing Kelly in the polls.

Lets have a look

It started with Coulter immediately gushing over how very tall Masters looked on stage:

A few minutes later, she declared him absolutely the best person running for Senate this year:

Of course, she couldnt just watch the debate without taking a moment to complain about the ASL translators:

As things were winding down, she begged everyone to watch the hour-long debate online then told them to skip the parts that didnt feature Masters:

Then this morning, she logged onto Twitter to urge peopleIN ALL CAPS!to watch the replay of the debate on C-Span RIGHT NOW!!:

Seriously, girl, go back to your stable and rehydrate yourself at the water trough.

Masters is a venture capitalist who is BFFs with gay billionaire Peter Thiel. Hes also a homophobic pile of garbage who wants to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the SCOTUS decision establishing a right to same-sex marriage.

Related: That time anti-LGBTQ candidate Blake Masters went to the gay wedding of his biggest financial backer

According to hisivoterguide profile, Masters also believes religious freedom must be protected at all costs and that businesses should be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ people if being gay violates their moral and/or religious beliefs.

And on his Twitter page, he has vowed to push for a federal version of Floridas Dont Say Gay law, saying tax dollars should not fund radical gender ideology and weird sex instruction for children.

With views like that, its no wonder he left Coulter totally dehydrated after last nights debate. Voters, on the other hand, seem to be a lot less thirsty for the guy. According to the latestFiveThirtyEight average, Masters is trailing Kelly by six points.

Related: Just when we didnt think Ann Coulter could get any dumber, she did this

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Ann Coulter was a hot thirsty mess over homophobe Blake Masters during the Arizona Senate debate - Queerty

What is vegan? What is the definition of veganism?

According to the Vegan Society definition: Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to excludeas far as is possible and practicableall forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.

In practice, it means not eating any animal products, so no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, honey, insects, gelatine or other animal-derived products, not wearing wool, leather, fur or silk, not using products tested on animals and not using animals for entertainment or sport nor supporting places that do so.

While this is a lot of nos, veganism supports dietary and lifestyle choices and alternatives that are ethical, sustainable and healthy for everyone.

Vegans eat only plant foods and fungi (mushrooms, yeast). This includes:

Vegans can also eat a wide variety of processed products, such as vegan burgers and sausages, vegan cheese, yoghurt, desserts, biscuits, crisps, chips, pastries, vegan pizza and a lot more!

Vegans do not eat meat of any kind (red, white, processed, game or any other), fish, shellfish (so no oysters either), milk and dairy products (from any animal), eggs, animal derivatives such as gelatine, honey, beeswax, shellac, carmine, fish oil or collagen.

There are many ingredients that can be animal-derived and comprehensive lists can be found online.

People tend to go vegan for one of these three reasons:

However, while theres usually one driving motivation, as people learn more information about veganism, many embrace the other reasons too because they simply complement each other.

Caring about animals goes hand in hand with caring about the environment and planetary future, and caring about ones health is important for quality of life and being able to enjoy the future.

Yes, being vegan is super healthy! But it can also be unhealthy if all you eat is chips and vegan biscuits.

The key to a healthy vegan diet is to base your diet on wholefoods and limit processed and junk foods in other words, eat mostly healthy plant-based foods and add the processed or fried and sweetened stuff as a treat only.

When you have at least five servings of fruit and vegetables, two or more portions of wholegrain foods (morning cereal, wholemeal bread, whole wheat pasta), a couple of servings of pulses (beans, hummus, tofu) and some nuts and seeds daily, its a healthy vegan diet.

On top of that, take a couple of supplements vitamin B12 all year round and vitamin D at least from October to April. Vitamin D is recommended to absolutely everyone, not just vegans, because its the sunshine vitamin our skin makes when exposed to sunlight and we simply dont get enough of it in the colder months.

Vitamin B12 is made by bacteria but thanks to our sanitised food systems, there arent any of these on or in the plant foods we eat. Farmed animals are given B12 with their feed so animal products contain it but its no more natural than taking a supplement.

A wholesome vegan diet is healthy, keeps your digestive system happy, lowers your risk of many diseases and provides plenty of healthy energy.Many health organisations agree that veganism is healthy and suitable for people of all ages.

Many plant foods are rich in protein. Pulses and products made from them are particularly good sources lentils, beans, chickpeas, soya, tofu, tempeh, hummus, beanburgers, falafels, lentil dhal, chickpea curry, bean casseroles, dips, spreads, etc.

Wholegrains are also an excellent source of vegan protein, for example oats, whole wheat pasta, wholemeal bread, quinoa, or crispbreads. Nuts and seeds are another food group that offers good amounts of protein any nuts, seeds or nut and seed butters. Peanut butter is a protein-rich staple!

However, all plant foods, unless they are an extract (sugar, oil), contain protein some in smaller, others in larger amounts. If you eat enough calories in a day, you will automatically get enough protein.

Vegans dont eat honey because its an animal product and its taken from bees who would normally use it as their main source of energy. In the process of harvesting honey, many bees are accidentally killed.

No, vegans dont eat any eggs. Commercial egg production causes substantial suffering to egg-laying hens no matter what system the hens are kept in (free range, barn, enriched cages).

Backyard eggs are not considered vegan either because they are still an animal product that perpetuates the cycle of exploiting animals for food.

Thankfully there are lots of vegan egg substitutes to use instead, from natural alternatives like banana and chia seeds to aquafaba.

Some chocolate is vegan, some isnt. Dark chocolate tends to be vegan but not always check the ingredients to be sure. Sometimes it contains milk fat, butter fat or butter oil, or lactose and because these ingredients are all dairy-based, they are not vegan. On the other hand, cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa beans and is always vegan.

Milk chocolate is not vegan but there are plenty of delicious dairy-free chocolate alternatives made with plant milks, and the same applies to white chocolate.

No, vegans dont wear wool because it comes from animals exploited for their bodies and products.

The problems with wool are multiple sheep are bred into captivity, often injured in the shearing process, in some places their hindquarters are mutilated to keep the wool clean, they are made to breed to produce offspring for either lamb or wool production and all are eventually killed.

Its similar with other animal products used for clothing or footwear mohair, angora, down (feathers), silk, leather and fur. All are products of animal suffering and as such are unacceptable for vegans.

There are many other natural materials that are vegan-friendly and sustainable such as bamboo, lyocell (Tencel), cotton, viscose, hemp, pineapple or mushroom leather.

This reflects that veganism is much more than a diet, its a lifestyle that touches many aspects of our everyday life and offers ethical and sustainable solutions.

November is World Vegan Month and every year it draws a lot of attention to the vegan lifestyle. It started with 1 November declared World Vegan Day in 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary of the term vegan being coined by The Vegan Society and gradually grew to become a full month of celebrating veganism.

It is meant to raise awareness of the many benefits of being vegan, make people curious and bring vegans and non-vegans together in conversation.

Many companies, cafs and restaurants introduce vegan products in November and/or run special offers on their vegan offerings.

Veganuary is a mashup of the words vegan and January and thats exactly what it is its an international campaign asking people to go vegan for the month of January. Once you sign up, you start getting emails guiding you through the month to make your vegan journey as smooth as possible you receive information on all aspects of veganism, meal plans, recipe ideas, eating out tips and even discounts.

They also include plenty of inspiration, introduce you to famous vegans, athletes, doctors and share lots of practical information

In 2022, it inspired over 620,000 people to try veganism and the aim of the project is to encourage people to stay vegan even after the month is up. Every year, more and more people sign up for Veganuary and more companies introduce their vegan products specifically in time for January, and so the movement grows.

Feeling inspired to go vegan?

Start your vegan journey with this delicious ideas for Veganuary meals.

Featured image credit: Claudio Schwarz via Unsplash

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What is vegan? From what vegans eat to where they get protein - Vegan Food and Living

The happiest place on earth isnt too happy when youre starving. In fact, a vegan at Disneyland (or the neighboring California Adventure and Downtown Disney) can turn Grumpy in the grips of hunger pangs while being surrounded by others happily indulging in Mickey Mouse-shaped treats. Thankfully, Disneyland has followed in the footsteps of its Florida cousin and expanded its plant-based options to include delicious treats beyond giant pickles and apple slices. Disneys mission is to make their guests wishes come trueincluding vegansso lace up, don a pair of Mickey ears, and enjoy your day to the fullest.

Note: this guide specifically addresses Disneyland. Youll need a separate ticket for neighboring California Adventure, though there are plenty of year-round and seasonal vegan eats there as well.

If youre not a Magic Key holder, youll arrive at the park early and zip down Main Street to get in line for Space Mountainthats the best trick to get your tickets worth. Day pass guests simply dont have the luxury of time to dawdle. However, if you need something in your stomach before traversing multiple miles through queues, Main Street does have a charming Starbucks to get you going.

@vegandisneyfood/Instagram

Interested in dining with Mickey and Minnie? Make a reservation for the character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. The meal is served buffet-style, but you can let them know ahead of time (or politely inform your server) that you are vegan. The kitchen is equipped to make vegan versions of the famous Mickey Waffles as well as tofu scramble, breakfast potatoes, and fruit.

For lunch or dinner, swing by Carnation Cafe for a vegan bean burger, garden salad, or brownie la mode.

Disneylands most far-out and hyped-up land is also home to one of the most buzzed-about vegan options in the entire theme park: the Ronto-less Garden Wrap. Omnivores have even deemed it tastes better than the animal meat-based Ronto Wrap. This cult menu item is made with seasoned Impossible meat, kimchi slaw, gochujang sauce, and crunchy pickled cucumber wrapped in a hot pita. We suspect there may be a sprinkle of pixie dust on there, too, to make it taste so magical.

@vegandisneyfood/Instagram

Galaxys Edge is also the only place in Disneyland that serves alcoholbesides the elite Blue Bayou restaurant. At Ogas Cantina, you can get a spiked Blue or Green Milkboth are vegan by default. Those under 21 can enjoy the non-alcoholic version of these sweetened coconut milk beverages. Snacking-wise, head to Kat Sakas Kettle for brightly hued popcorn to match those neon drinks. Flavors may rotate, but they remain vegan to date.

Famished after spending over an hour waiting for Space Mountain? Alien Pizza Planet (formerly Pizza Port as a nod to Toy Story) offers a dedicated vegan option by way of the Impossible bolognese pasta.

@vegandisneyfood/Instagram

The meaty vegan pasta is mixed with seasonal vegetables and topped with vegan cheese. While not on the menu, the kitchen can make a personal-sized, gluten-free, and vegan cheese pizza, though honestly speaking, it tastes like an afterthought.

Square footage-wise, these lands are on the smaller side, which is why were addressing them together. Granted, you can spend a good deal of time in each, depending on wait times (Peter Pan really does take at least half an hour, but the nostalgia factor is worth it).

Both Fantasyland and Toon Town are home to the most family-friendly attractions at Disneyland, including the famous teacups and Dumbo ride.

@marincountyvegan/Instagram

Snack carts full of hot and salted Mickey pretzels, popcorn, and accidentally vegan frozen confections can be found throughout these two lands, but if youre looking for a full meal, head to Fantasyland for the Red Rose Tavern.

The quick service concept offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with menus scheduled throughout the day. The breakfast menu includes a Little Town Harvest Bowlessentially a grain bowl of quinoa, vegetables, and plant-based aioli. The Enchanted Cauli-flower Sandwich is the plant-based offering for the lunch and dinner crowds. Beverages (soft drinks and tea) served in a multitude of themed souvenir cups are also available.

After youve ridden the wildest ride in the wilderness and screamed Goat1 after careening down a canyon (its a thing), satisfy your hunger at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant. The breezy eatery is somewhat tucked away from the traffic of park guests, making it a nice, shady respite. Take a breath and tuck into the Cauliflower Tacos with Mexican rice and vegan refried beans. The Cinnamon Crisps and Crispy Chips con Limon are also vegan-approved. If youre just looking for something to tie you over, a bag of chips, some salsa, and a bowl of refried beans is an excellent and hearty option.

@mermaidnatravels/Instagram

Those in search of a more authentically Frontierland meal can step right on up to the Golden Horseshoe. The plant-based menu item here launched in the summer of 2022, and it features Impossible Chili Cheese Fries. The more casual, quick-service Stage Door Cafe also carries these fries.

Pro tip: wherever you choose to dine, do it after riding Splash Mountain. Now thoroughly soaked (yes, you will get wet), you could grab an Impossible Cheeseburger and fries at the Hungry Bear Cafe, or you could enjoy a more vegetable-forward meal at Cafe Orleans. The French-inspired menu offers a vegan white bean hummus served with crudites and charred bread for an appetizer as well as a vegan ratatouille main and an astounding plant-based crme brle (the latter is also found at the elegant Blue Bayou). You may not see this dessert on the menu, but ask and you shall receive.

@vegandisneyland/Instagram

Craving more vegetables or a quick, easy bite? Bengal Barbecue offers a roasted vegetable skewer (note: it shares a grill with the meat options) and a Hummus Trio served with raw vegetables.

For a slower, take-your-time kind of meal, find a seat at River Belle Terrace. In the mornings, the menu offers a plant-based avocado toast. Lunch and dinner options range from Corn on the Cob Succotash, barbecue tofu with roasted vegetables, and a seasonal fruit cobbler with non-dairy ice cream.

@happiestveganonearth/Instagram

To end the day with a bang, make reservations way, way in advance for a coveted seat at the Blue Bayouthe fine dining restaurant within the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Youll sit down to a three-course vegan menu complete with a Hearts of Palm Escabeche appetizer, Fava Bean & Pistachio Pesto Pasta main, and a delectable vegan crme brle served with macerated berries for dessert. Like your park ticket, this meal comes with a considerable price tag, but the experience is worth it at least once.

Disneyland hosts a plethora of strategically stationed snack carts throughout the park, each specializing in a specific craving. There are popcorn carts (yes, the popcorn is vegan), frozen delight carts, pretzel carts, and produce carts. These grab-and-go options are ideal for the Disney power guestsomeone with boundless energy, a strong back, and solid walking shoes who intends to spend every second of their day seeing all Disneyland has to offer by way of attractions. Fuel your enthusiasm with a salted Mickey-shaped pretzel, cool off with a chocolate-covered frozen banana or Frozen Strawberry Lemonade bar, and nourish yourself with a giant pickle or fresh fruit from a produce stand.

@chowdownvegan/Instagram

Finally, a proper Disney trip is not complete without a cup of Dole Whip at the Tiki Juice Bar. The legendary frozen treat is magically vegan and completely swoon-worthy. Order yours unadorned or go all-in with a refreshing Dole Whip Float (Dole Whip served over pineapple juice). You may notice other fruity Dole Whip flavors such as watermelon, mango, raspberry, orange, or cherry. All of these fruity flavors are vegan as well.

Hold tight to your Mickey ears headband! Its going to be a gloriously delicious and magical vegan day at Disneyland.

See the article here:

Vegan Guide to Disneyland: All the Magical Plant-Based Options - VegNews

For many of us, a classic, crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-in-the-middle grilled cheese sandwich is at the top of our comfort food list. And while its not a difficult sandwich to make, some subtle tipsand being aware of common mistakescan make that grilled cheese sammy go from good to delectable.

A successful vegan grilled cheese has but a few requirements. It should have bread thats just slightly browned and cheese thats melted throughout and is slightly greasy and slightly salty, says Michael Suchman, co-author of NYC Vegan and the other half of vegan activists VeganMos. Suchman adds that grilled cheese makes him think of being four or five years old when his mother would make him grilled cheese for lunch. Back then, though, grilled cheese was little more than Wonder bread and non-vegan Kraft singles.

Fortunately, grilled cheese has come a long way since the 1970s. To get it right, start by making sure the bread youre using isnt too thick or the cheese wont get hot enough to melt. Check the crust, too. I prefer a soft-crust bread for my grilled cheese so its easier to bite into once its cooked, Suchman says. If the breads crust is too hard before you cook it, it can be a challenge to eat once its been grilled. Then choose a vegan cheese that melts easily or else your bread will burn before the sandwich is done. Suchman prefers slices but shreds can work in a pinch, too.

While you might be tempted to slather vegan butter on the outside of the bread, break that habit. Instead, use a light spread of vegan mayonnaise. Why? It tastes better, Suchman says. If youre adding fillings to your sandwich, place them in the middle so that the sandwich is layered as bread, cheese, filling, cheese, bread. (Pro tip: if youre using vegan meat like ham or bacon, cook it separately before adding it to the sandwich.) Then start cooking on medium-low heat so the bread toasts slowly and the cheese melts. Once its golden brown, flip it, and cover the skillet with a lid. If youre cooking on a griddle, cover the sandwich with a pot lid to trap in heat and help the cheese melt.

If youre looking for grilled cheese inspiration, try these nine unique creations from vegan bloggers.

Hell Yes Its Vegan

Cant decide between chipotle, green chili, or buffalo jackfruit? Blogger Claire Slattery of Hell Yes Its Vegan has you covered with three unique ways to add your preference of jackfruit to your grilled cheese.Get the recipe

Peas and Crayons

Turn your favorite appetizer into grilled cheese! This recipe from Jenn Laughlin of the blog Peas and Crayons will surely please that jalapeo-loving palate with this spicy twist.Get the recipe

The Colorful Kitchen

Simple is the name of the game with Ilene Godofsky Moreno of The Colorful Kitchens sandwich, which uses carrots and barbecue sauce. Slide in some spinach and red onion, and youve got yourself a tasty twist.Get the recipe

When Sweet Becomes Healthy

Avocado lovers, this ones for you. Add some pickled onions, kale, and spices, and your grilled cheese just got a massive upgrade, thanks to Nicole Berth of When Sweet Becomes Healthy.Get the recipe

Vegan Richa

Count on blogger and author Richa Hingle of Vegan Richa to give those tastebuds something to write home about. Smoky black beans (or refried, if you prefer) may become your favorite add-in yet.Get the recipe

It Doesnt Taste Like Chicken

Got any health nuts who want to veg-ify their grilled cheese? Blogger and author Sam Turnbull of It Doesnt Taste Like Chicken has your back with this savory onion-and-mushroom version.Get the recipe

Neurotic Mommy

Holy grilled cheese! Jennifer Rossano of Neurotic Mommy is the brains behind this sweet berry-filled concoction. If there were Golden Globes for grilled cheese, this would surely be a winner.Get the recipe

Six Vegan Sisters

Yes, you really can add mac and cheese to anything, including grilled cheese. The sisters behind Six Vegan Sisters not only stuff their famous mac and cheese between two pieces of bread, but they also slather on more cheese for the ultimate cheesy comfort food.Get the recipe

Nutriciously

Health nuts, Alena of Nutriciously has created this one for you, as this healthified version is loaded with veggies like avocado, zucchini, and spinach. Youll make your own cheese sauce before assembling and cooking the sandwich in a pan.Get the recipe

Karen Asp is a VegNews digital writer, regular contributor to numerous other publications (like Forks Over Knives, Eating Well, Sentient Media, O and Real Simple), author of Anti-Aging Hacks, and a vegan lifestyle coach and educator in Indiana.

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How to Cook the Perfect Vegan Grilled Cheese (and 9 Twists You Have to Try) - VegNews

Wolfies Hot Chicken was one of many restaurants that attended the Los Angeles Vegan Street Fair Nights event this past Saturday and Sunday. (Mira Bhatt | Daily Trojan)

Vegan food often gets a bad rap. Still, whether youre already a fan of vegan food or have never even tried it, the hot vegan restaurants showcased at Vegan Street Fair Nights 2022 this past weekend are definitely worth a shot. These innovative chefs have explored cuisines around the world, ranging from Mexico to Japan, and are ready for Los Angeles locals to taste their creations. While not all of these restaurants are based in L.A., they all traveled to North Hollywood to share their dishes at the event, a fair with over 50 plant-based vendors, DJs and entertainment. And, with fall break approaching, there is no better time to head out on an adventure to try something new. Here are the best savory and sweet vegan spots that you should try next.

Cena Veganin L.A.

Cena Vegan is a delicious vegan Mexican street food restaurant serving tacos, burritos, nachos and more. Their vegan carne asada and pollo asado tacos taste like the real deal and have customers coming back for more. Their food is not the only thing that has customers hooked their vegan horchata is the perfect thirst-quencher, with a classically delicious cinnamon flavor, minus the dairy milk. Although Cena Vegan does not have a sit-down location, you can order delivery for their mouth-watering plant-based Mexican food.

Hangari Housein L.A.

If you are a kimchi lover, Hangari House is the place for you. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish consisting of fermented and pickled vegetables, and if youve never had it, Hangari House is the place to try it. This restaurants kimchi is made in small batches with ingredients sourced directly from Seoul, South Korea. Trying their kimchi in their kimbap roll or cucumber kimchi is an absolute must.

Dream Cuisine in Oakland

Dream Cuisine provides you with a dream culinary experience, specializing in vegan West African and Afro-Latin cuisine. The restaurant, located in Oakland, provides customers with vegan versions of fan-favorite Cameroonian dishes like Ndol, a spinach stew, and Jollof Rice, a mix of rice, tomatoes, onions, spices and other vegetables. If you have the opportunity to take a road trip up to the Bay Area, Dream Cuisine is a must-try.

Erbs Vegan Kitchenin Las Vegas

Erbs Vegan Kitchen is the place to go if you are craving some comfort food. Their jalapeno popper cheese quesadilla has the perfect amount of flavor added to spice up a traditional quesadilla, and their buffalo cauliflower bites are a hit. Although they do not always have food stands in L.A., Erbs Vegan Kitchen is located in Las Vegas and is the perfect lunch spot if you ever visit.

Mayas Cookiesin San Diego

Mayas Cookies hails from a little further down south in San Diego. They provide customers with delicious sweet snacks to eat at any time of the day. The all-vegan bakery has a variety of exciting cookies, including a chai snickerdoodle and the Drunken Grandma, a tasty combination of oatmeal and rum-soaked raisins. If you are ever craving dessert, these vegan cookies are the perfect solution.

Plant Power Fast Foodin Hollywood

Craving a burger or chicken nuggets? Plant Power Fast Food provides you with all the delectable fast food options to quench your hunger. Their take on chicken nuggets are perfectly crispy and chewy and taste as good as getting nuggets from any late-night drive-thru restaurant. You can order online for delivery or pickup or sit down at their cozy restaurant location in Hollywood.

Rock & Roll Pizzain L.A.

At Rock & Roll Pizza, you are transported to a vegan pizza paradise. Their ooey gooey delicious plant-based cheese tastes like dairy cheese, and the crusts have a perfect crunch to them. Their Baja Soy-rizo slice is a tasty afternoon treat. If you have the chance, go to one of their three locations nearby and give Rock & Roll Pizza a shot.

Vegano By Stick Station in L.A.

On a hot L.A. day, popsicles from Vegano By Stick Station will be the perfect cold treat for you. Their creative and tasty pops are dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free and are made with organic rice milk. They feature exciting and innovative flavors like mango chili, coconut dream and matcha chocolate. Try one of their refreshingly tasty bars at their L.A. location.

Voodoo Veganin L.A.

If you are looking for some delicious gumbo and Cajun food, Voodoo Vegan is the place to go. Try their Po Boys or cheesy mac n cheese you wont regret it. Voodoo Vegans plant-based shrimp is also a staple, so grab a bite of their shrimp tacos, shrimp Po Boy or just get a basket of shrimp! The tasty Cajun food restaurant is not a sit-down place, but you can pick up food from their location in L.A.

Wolfies Hot Chickenin L.A.

Wolfies Hot Chicken is the place to go if you are looking for a delicious plant-based take on fried chicken. Their innovative Seoul Fried Chicken Sandwich is to die for with the restaurants homemade Korean BBQ sauce and its red gochujang bun. Plus, you cant even tell it is not real chicken! Wolfies has two locations in L.A., so head on over and give it a try.

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The best vegan spots to try this fall - Daily Trojan Online

It's no secret that veganism has come more and more into the mainstream. According to theAlliance for Science, in 2022, around 10% ofsurveyed Americans considered themselves vegan. This is a pretty considerable jump, given that all but a decade ago, veganism was considered some sort of radical diet reserved for select fanatics. With the number of vegans growing, chances are that you or someone at your table may be opting out of eating animal products this holiday season. Thankfully, there are more options available today than in years past.

But asVoxadvised in 2014: Put the tofurkey down. As the article readily points out, the tofu take on the holiday turkey tends to disappoint; it's soft, chewy, and nothing like the traditional dish.Rightfully argued by Vox,you don't necessarily need meat alternatives for a good plant-based holiday. Thanksgiving is a meal-oriented holiday, and while the feast centers around the bird, there's a universe of sides that falls in its orbit.

While these may usually be more vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of easy vegan sides that can be whipped up without too much hassle.Sides are a great way to provide options for everyone at the table, regardless of their diet.

Long having held a place at the Thanksgiving table, roasted corn salsa is a re-imagining of a crop native to the Americas. The dish takes around 20 minutes in total to cook and prepare, but rewards tenfold in flavor. The heart of the recipe lies in baking the corn for around 10 minutes, which gives the dish a distinct smokey taste. Typical of all good salsas, this recipe includes tomatoes, red onion, and garlic cloves. Meanwhile, the salsa's fresh lime juice and chopped jalapeo work as a wonderful palate cleanser.

Recipe: Roasted Corn Salsa

Tostones are a treat hailing from the Caribbean. Made from deep-fried green plantains, they are wonderfully crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. With a mildly starchy flavor, they taste a bit like hash browns. They are typically fried in a neutral oil, such as avocado oil, and seasoned well with garlic powder and smoked paprika. To properly prepare, they are fried in two rounds, and flattened in between to take an almost circular shape.For those trying a lighter take on the meal, opt to bake the tostones instead.

Recipe: Baked Tostones

While buffalo wings may be more of a game day treat, buffalo cauliflower is a vegan take on an American favorite. The real trick to this recipe is getting the shape right: The cauliflower needs to be cut into florets to take on a "buffalo chicken" shape. Almond meal makes for the batter, and spice such as paprika will help create the buffalo sauce seasoning that defines the dish.These "wings" take around 35 minutes to properly bake. Just as with any good chicken wings, you'll want to serve these piping hot.

Recipe: Buffalo Cauliflower

Sweet potatoes are a common Thanksgiving to-go and often grace the table in the form of the ubiquitous marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole. Sweet potato wedges can offer a nice switch up, and grilling them adds a new texture to the table. Imperative to the recipe's success is to boil the wedges well before grilling, which will give the wedges a crunchy exterior and supple interior. The recipe suggests taking the wedges directly out onto the grill, as this will give the wedges the perfect charred texture and smokey flavor.

Recipe: Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

This three-bean salad adds a bright pop of color to the table with the rich greens of its green beans and the deep reds of its kidney beans. Chickpeas are the third bean in this three-bean recipe and solidify the dish's hardiness. This particular recipe capitalizes on a bit of apple cider to add a refreshing acidic twist, and a dash of olive oil rounds out the dish. The recipe can easily be whipped up in around five minutes and makes for a great side in a pinch.

Recipe: Three-Bean Salad

Cabbage is a good piece of produce with a bad rep. While some may turn up a nose to it, it's better advised to take a second look. A cabbage salad, for example, can make for a hearty, filling, and seasonal salad that rounds out a holiday meal. This particular dish combines Napa cabbage with red cabbage and adds cilantro and peanuts to add tastes and textures to the salad. But the real pop of flavor is thepeanut butter and soy sauce-based dressing. This is just as filling as it is yummy.

Recipe: Cabbage Salad

This brilliant pumpkin soup is such an un-ignorable orange that it's certain to warm you before even touching your lips. Coconut milk adds a creamy element to the soup, while also lightening the otherwise thick bowl. Miso paste, ginger, curry, and smoked paprika add a symphony of flavor to the otherwise uniformly sweet soup. Pair it with Thanksgiving rolls, and you've got a beautiful, yummy, seasonal hit on your hands.

Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Caponata is an autumnal dream.The side features eggplant accompanied by tomatoes, celery, and bell pepper. The recipe centers around sauting the eggplant, so it takes on that heavenly creamy texture that defines the vegetable. The dish has a slight glaze to it, which puts the proverbial cherry on the cake. While it takes around an hour or so to prepare and cook, the recipe notes that the more time left to sit, the better. The flavors ages like a fine wine, and this side can be made comfortably in advance before the big meal.

Recipe: Caponata

While shepherd's pie is an English delight, there's no reason it can't be incorporated into an American tradition. The shepherd's pie isn't quite like a pie in the way one would typically understand it. It doesn't have a crust, and is topped with mashed potatoes instead. While typically made with a lamb (hence, shepherd), the vegan variety is no less filling with its lentil base and chickpea base that is then loaded with miscellaneous vegetables. This is truly a side dish thatfeels (and fills) like a main.

Recipe: Vegan Shepherd's Pie

From the grill to the table, this is a meal worth bringing inside. Pulled pork can shockingly be amended into a vegan dish, this is due to jack fruit. The fruit is both completely neutral in flavor, and has a chewy texture, which makes for a great meat substitute. Of course, similar to tofu, the bland base of the fruit makes it perfect for seasoning used for the meatiest of dishes. Boiling the fruit in seasoning, and once baked, re-baking the dish in barbecue sauce are essential to give it that barbecue flavor.

Recipe:Vegan Pulled Pork

Borscht is a soup that hails from Ukraine. Stateside, it is typically beet-based which gives it an appealing bright pink to red coloring.The soup walks a tightrope between sweet and sour, partially due to the vinegar, sugar, and vegetables used to make it. Potatoes can be used as a meat substitute and will be just as hearty in nature. The trick to getting the balancing act to the soup just right is letting the cabbage simmer in the same pot as the potatoes, right as the potatoes are about to cook through.

Recipe: Borscht

There's no need to rely on turkey for a good ole Thanksgiving food coma; this one-pot mushroom goulash will do the same trick. The pot is mixed with mushrooms,carrots, potatoes, and cabbage are just as nutritious as they are filling. The recipe notes that flavor is the cornerstone of goulash.Thus, the recipe says to take the sauce-making step very seriously and not to fear the amount of paprika that goes into the recipe; it's what gives the goulash its authentic flavor.

Recipe: One-pot Mushroom Goulash

Mushroom risotto is a prized dish of the Italian cuisine.While it may seem intimidating, with a little bit of information and instruction, it can also be made at home. Risotto is a creamy dish, and a plant-based butter will work to give the risotto its iconic texture without any of the dairy. Miso paste and nutritional yeast add a certain umami to the dish.But be careful risotto is a cooking method that notoriously needs a lot of attention to get great results. Make sure to allot enough time for it.

Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

Like many greens, grilling or roasting brings out the best out of the best of bok choy. To add to the vegetable, the recipe calls for a coating made out of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic.The recipe also recommends closing the grill until the bok choy chars around the edges, around 3 minutes or so.Once properly grilled,this dish leaves something original for vegetables to cut into. This recipe can be prepared and cooked in under 15 minutes but should be served immediately.

Recipe: Grilled Bok Choy

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14 Vegan Thanksgiving Side Recipes To Try This Year - Mashed

Here are some fun vegan treats to serve up at your next ghoulish gathering.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Serve this green soup from your best cauldron.

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth or keep slightly chunky, if desired. Warm the soup in a pot. Garnish each serving with additional broccoli florets and cheese shreds, if desired.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel and slice the yam and the potato. Bake slices on parchment paper in oven about 15 minutes or until soft. Cool. Using a sharp knife, cut yam slices into pumpkin faces. Using a scissors and a straw, cut eyes and jagged shape at the bottom of the potato ghosts.Heat 1 cup of water per packet of ramen noodles. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Add black beans and either seasoning packet or your own mix of seasoning: dehydrated onion flakes, garlic, etc. Add more water for a soup with more broth. Heat until warmed throughout.

Place soup in a large bowl and decorate with parsley, cucumber, yam pumpkins and potato ghosts or decorate individual servings.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

One large apple makes about six bites."

Slice each apple in half long way through the core, then slice each half into quarter-inch slices. Place almond slivers to look like teeth around the outside of each apple slice, near the apple peel. Place a spoonful of jam behind the almond slivers and top with another apple slice.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Break vegan graham crackers apart. Spread white vegan frosting in the middle and top with a small glob (about a half-teaspoon) of seedless raspberry or strawberry jam.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Place vegan dip in a bowl. Wash carrots well and trim to finger-sized pieces. Stick the carrots into the bowl of dip and place an almond slice on each tip. A little dip on the back of each slice helps the almond stick to the carrot.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Cook meatballs according to package directions. Cool slightly. Insert broken corn chips in sides of each meatball to form wings. Add eyes made from rice or bits of pimento or peppers. Serve meatballs with ketchup or other sauce.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Roll a sheet of puff pastry to quarter-inch thickness. Cut the pastry into thin strips. Wind strips around each kielbasa or hotdog to look like a mummy. Cook on a baking sheet at 400 degrees until puff pastry is lightly browned. Before serving, add olives for eyes. Serve with ketchup.One sheet of puff pastry makes about eight hotdogs.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Lightly oil baking pan. Spread hot rice on a square or round baking pan. Cool rice slightly then using your fingers, form the rice into the shape of a face. Use plant-based food for decorating, make a scary face.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Mash black beans in a large bowl. Add seasonings, if desired. Add oatmeal, one cup at a time, until mixture can be shaped. Decorate toes and stump with onion slices and ketchup. Bake until firm. Decorate with additional ketchup.

Contributed / Susan Alexander

Saute vegan burger crumbles in a skillet. Add about a quarter-cup of the tomato sauce enough to moisten the crumbles so that it sticks together. Add more sauce if needed. Add in the cheese and olives (if desired), reserving two olives for eyes.Dust a long piece of plastic wrap with flour. Form pizza dough into a long snake shape, then flatten it on the plastic wrap, using a rolling pin, to about 6 inches wide by 36 inches long. The length of the snake will be determined by how much pizza dough you use. The longer the snake, the more difficult it will become to roll!

Place the cooled burger mix down the middle of the snake. Dont overfill the snake or youll have a mess. Use the plastic wrap to help roll the pizza dough around the filling. Make an arrowhead shape at the top of the snake for the head and make a tapered tail.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the snake is cooked. Garnish the snake with a pepper or tomato tongue and olives for the eyes. Heat the remaining tomato sauce and serve with the snake.

Susan Alexander

Susan Alexander is food columnist for the Duluth News Tribune. She loves gardening, farmers markets and creating delicious meals consisting of whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits.

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Vegan cooking: Fire up cauldron for Halloween-themed buffet - Duluth News Tribune