Support Local Farmers and Humane Treatment of Farm Animals

This weekend we went on the local Farm Tours. We went to the ones this past spring as well. Last time they were the Chapel Hill area and this time we went to Holly Springs and Louisburg.

http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/

Buttons are sold at Whole Foods (and other places). For $30 the button gets you access to the farms for both days or you can pay $10 per farm.

It's a great way to buy fresh produce and support local farmers. If you eat eggs, it's a sure way of buying humane eggs.

Last spring we went to Fickle Creek Farm and this time the two that stood out were Amazing Acres and Mae Farm.

Amazing Acres is more of an educational farm geared toward children. They have potbellied pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks and a goat. http://www.getoutsideandlearn.com/

Mae Farm is primarily a hog farm, but I have to respect the owner, Mike Jones for providing a true free-range home for his pigs. Their food is all natural, no pesticides and the animals appear happy. I know they still have a horrible fate, but if you had to pick the lesser of two evils, this would be it. Encourage meat-eating friends and family to purchase from farmers like this (while still encouraging vegetarian diet).

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A160706

http://www.maefarmmeats.com/index.shtml

At the end of the Mae Farm tour I was even able to hand a couple of vegetarian brochures to a man and his mother who were on the tour. I could tell by the questions he asked the farmer that he wanted to know more about factory farming. I gave him these privately after the tour (I don't recommend harassing the farmers).

All in all, these tours are informative and fun. It's always a joy to watch the piglets play and the chickens dust-bathe and also to remind myself why I don't eat meat.

Keep an eye out for the tour schedules every year and bring a group to go. It's a good way to get your foot in the door to introduce to your friends and family issues like factory farming, organic farming etc.

Taste of Thai - Raleigh (Falls of Neuse)

Tried this place over the weekend. Nice sit-down restaurant, friendly waitress, good presentation.

We ordered:
Appetizer - Vegetarian Fresh Rolls
PAD MAKUA - Sauteed fresh eggplant with sweet basil,carrot and bell pepper.
CHOO CHEE - Thick & strong flavorful curry with broccoli ,kaffir lime and coconut milk.

There is a separate menu with faux meats on it, but the appetizer we tried to order wasn't available, but the waitress did say that the other entrees with faux meats were available. Maybe if we go back will will try one.

http://www.tasteofthairestaurant.net/nc/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1

Greek Fiesta - Multiple Locations

Another great place for hummus etc. Be sure to sign up on the pad at the register with your e-mail and birthdate. They will e-mail you free coupons for food on holidays and your birthday. We just had a lunch feast over the weekend with our coupons. A vegetarian platter, drink and two extra plates of hummus and pita for only $7.99. It was way more that we should have eaten but we had a coupon!

http://www.greekfiesta.com/

Brixx Pizza - Brier Creek, Raleigh

Update: We've eaten the soy cheese pizzas here and they are very good.

We tried the Margherita Pizza and the Wild Mushroom Pizza and just substituted soy cheese for regular.

The Wild Mushroom Pizza comes with a full bed of arugula salad on the top of it, so I had to ask for a side of balsamic dressing on the side, otherwise it was too dry.

http://www.brixxpizza.com/dine-in-menu.pdf

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Brixx Pizza is now open! The staff assured me that they DO have soy cheese as an option for their pizzas! http://www.brixx.com/

From their site:

*** Veggie Pizza ***
Any pizza can be prepared with veggie cheese, a soy based cheese that is lactose free and has no animal fat. Best of all, it tastes great! No extra charge!
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So now we have 5 options that I know of in the Triangle... ZPizza, Brixx, Mellow Mushroom, Moonlight Pizza and Lilly's.

Please buy from them to show our support for vegan pizza!