Boston Vegetarian Food Festival

Just got back from one of the best vegan road trips ever. What a rare treat to be in a car full of vegans all up for an adventure.

The day began with some fresh-baked blueberry streusel muffins, and then it just went uphill from there.

First stop: Boston Vegetarian Food Festival at the Reggie Lewis Center. Unbelievable array of grazing opportunities, the highlight being Vegan Treats from Bethlehem, PA (how the heck did they load all those sinful desserts and transport them all the way up here?).

These were the most outrageously decadent sweets I've ever experienced, which tasted as good as they looked (and these camera phone photos just don't do them justice).

I tried a Double Chocolate Brownie Thingie with Peanut Butter Mousse. It nearly killed me, but I survived, and it was worth it.

I can't begin to describe the Festival itself, only to say it seems to get better every year. We left at the crack of dawn and arrived to desolate city streets, only to find the parking lot nearly full before doors opened at 10:00 to let the throng of desperate vegans in.

The list of vendors was impressive. Some favorites would have to be So Delicious Coconut Milk (though I discovered I'm not a fan of coconut milk kefir); Auntie Zuze's veggie pate made with sunflower seeds (yum!); Boston Baked Bones natural dog treats (I love their "I Rescued My Best Friend" t-shirt); Chicago Soydairy (it was nice to sample some Teese and vegan marshmallows); Hippie Chick Bakery (just outside of Boston - cute Halloween inspired sugar cookies, though they were outshined by Vegan Treats this year); Larabar (one of the original raw date nut bars, and now there are many more following in their footsteps); Coconut Bliss (gotta say, the line was shorter here than at the So Delicious table, and I think they had a slight edge on the Naked Coconut ice cream); May Wah ("vegieworld.com" - if you can't get enough fake meats, stop by their table); Peanut Butter & Co. (perfect accompaniment to the chocolate overload); Soya Foods (some nice prepared tofu); Vegan Treats (we died and went to heaven).

I'm kicking myself for forgetting my camera, but here are some camera phone images. If you are at all introgued, there's still time to experience the bliss. The festivities continue Sunday, November 1. What a great way to celebrate World Vegan Day!

Just a short distance from the festival is the answer to our vegan prayers: Peace O' Pie - vegan pizza with faux cheese that really melts!

We had the most incredible pie topped with Smoked Tempeh, Sundried Tomatoes, and Spinach on one half, and Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Garlic and Black Olives on the other.

We had ordered it with Daiya cheese, but then it was acidentally made with Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet, which we discovered still tasted pretty darn good (the secret, we were told, is a hot pizza oven and extra salt).

Because we came all this way for the Daiya experience, a cheese pizza was ordered for the ride home, along with a couple containers of freshly grated cheese. It really did have that authentic "mouth feel" and taste of real cheese. Equally incredible and disturbing.

For the ride home to Connecticut, we couldn't help but share deflated spirits at the prospect of returning to our non-vegan world. But then someone mentioned vegan softserve ice cream. As if we hadn't yet had our fill, we made a slight detour to Manchester ( we needed an excuse for a pitstop anyway). If you're heading to/from Connecticut on your way, be sure to stop at Divine Treasures for some vegan chocolate and pumpkin pie soft serve ice cream. Truly a divine ending to a perfect day.

Thanks, Sandy, Angie and Jessica! It wouldn't have been the same without you!!