World Vegetarian Day: The Social V. Flea Market
HAPPY WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY! Since young, I never actually enjoyed meat that much. It was simply acceptance of the reality I was presented with. Since my parents told me to eat meat, I ate meat. Since my parents told me it was good for me, I believed it. I never thought about the process animals had to go through in order to produce this "meat".
Ever since I watched videos like Earthlings, animal slaughterhouse videos and some helpful videos by Freelee the Banana Girl on YouTube over a few months, I was convinced that my previous lifestyle filled with the over-usage of animal products was not the way to go. I had to find a more sustainable, more earth-friendly lifestyle that can last me a lifetime.
After gathering all the resources, information and statistics that I believed was sufficient to convince my parents, I sat down with them to ask them if I could become a vegetarian. My proposal was met with strong disapproval - nutrition deficiency, social burdens, blah blah blah. However, I persevered and to cut a long story short, after much blood, sweat and tears shed (obviously all mine), they finally relented. And so, I embarked on this semi-vegetarian (still pescetarian sometimes) lifestyle. It has been about 4 months since I've touched meat (other than fish) and I am glad to say that I have never once regretted this decision.
So that was my story about how I became vegetarian! Since many people were asking me face-to-face, Instagram, Dayre, etc., so I decided to share my story! (Disclaimer: Not pressurising anyone to become vegetarian like me though!) Now back to event I attended yesterday!
Ever since I watched videos like Earthlings, animal slaughterhouse videos and some helpful videos by Freelee the Banana Girl on YouTube over a few months, I was convinced that my previous lifestyle filled with the over-usage of animal products was not the way to go. I had to find a more sustainable, more earth-friendly lifestyle that can last me a lifetime.
After gathering all the resources, information and statistics that I believed was sufficient to convince my parents, I sat down with them to ask them if I could become a vegetarian. My proposal was met with strong disapproval - nutrition deficiency, social burdens, blah blah blah. However, I persevered and to cut a long story short, after much blood, sweat and tears shed (obviously all mine), they finally relented. And so, I embarked on this semi-vegetarian (still pescetarian sometimes) lifestyle. It has been about 4 months since I've touched meat (other than fish) and I am glad to say that I have never once regretted this decision.
So that was my story about how I became vegetarian! Since many people were asking me face-to-face, Instagram, Dayre, etc., so I decided to share my story! (Disclaimer: Not pressurising anyone to become vegetarian like me though!) Now back to event I attended yesterday!
The Social V. Flea Market was held on World Vegetarian Day (3 October), held by Well-dressed Salad Bar from 12.30-5pm. At the flea market (all vegetarian and vegan-friendly, of course!), they were selling their usual offerings like the Summer Lovin' Salad, Soba So Good, Vegan Tarts and even their Tofu Feta (which I really really love!!!!!). Other than their usual offerings, they were also selling other foodstuffs they don't usually sell such as their super wrap stars and house-baked goods!
There were also other companies that set up booths around the whole shop, selling cool plant-based products such as organic rice, vegan wine and cruelty-free skin-care products and even eco-friendly pet products!
Knowing that we would be there at around lunchtime, my friend and I decided to get the $25 deal whereby we would get one meal and a goodie bag each!
THE GOODIE BAG
Knowing that we would be there at around lunchtime, my friend and I decided to get the $25 deal whereby we would get one meal and a goodie bag each!
THE GOODIE BAG
The goodie bag came with a bottle of coconut water, a bottle of mineral water, some organic brown rice, two packets of rice crackers, a brochure and some vouchers.
Cocomax Coconut Water
Cocomax Coconut Water
First coconut water I've ever tried but it's not bad! Not to sweet, tastes quite natural! But personally would prefer drinking coconut juice fresh from the fruit, while scooping out the sweet white flesh... Mmmm, perfect for a hot day.
Thai Organic Brown Rice
Thai Organic Brown Rice
Growing up in a relatively health-conscious family, I have been eating brown rice and red rice since I was little. In fact, I have grown so used to the texture and taste of these unprocessed grains such that I often crave for them when all I get is white rice. Well, all types of rice are nice though. Haven't cooked this rice to try just yet, so I'll update this post when I have!
Vouchers
Vouchers
The vouchers that came in the goodie bag were for pet-grooming, skin-care and Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant! I don't have a pet, sadly, so I won't be able to use that voucher for myself! But I'll probably use it for my friend who has a dog or cat! As for the dining voucher at Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant, I'll probably drop by soon and do a review on that as well! I also may buy some cruelty-free skin products to try out, for all I know, it may be good for my skin since it's all natural, paraben (a type of preservative) free, vegan, and cruelty-free!
THE FOOD
Special Wrap Star (Wrap only - $10, Set - $12.50)
We had a choice of either the Avocado & Tofu Feta Wrap or the Black Pepper Monkey Head Mushroom Wrap. We decided to get one of each so that we could share and try both wraps. The wraps came with a small cup of herbed potatoes and a plastic bag full of sweet potato chips!
THE FOOD
Special Wrap Star (Wrap only - $10, Set - $12.50)
We had a choice of either the Avocado & Tofu Feta Wrap or the Black Pepper Monkey Head Mushroom Wrap. We decided to get one of each so that we could share and try both wraps. The wraps came with a small cup of herbed potatoes and a plastic bag full of sweet potato chips!
When I bit into the wrap, I was sold. The wrap was so soft and chewy, unlike that of those we can find in local supermarkets that are so dry and hard that once you fold it around your ingredients, they shatter into a billion pieces. Both of us were very keen on buying the wrap from them, but were disappointed to hear that the wraps came from a supplier so they are unable to sell it to us... Hopefully, they'll be selling their wraps in the future! I would definitely buy tons of them!
The wraps were very very good. In my previous visit, I got the chance to try the tofu feta and black pepper monkey head mushroom in the mini puffs, and preferred the tofu feta. This time, with the same fillings in the wraps, I still prefer the tofu feta one. Maybe I'm just avocado-biased. But the black pepper monkey head mushroom wrap is really good too! I think Well Dressed Salad Bar should really consider putting this in their permanent menu!
The avocado and tofu feta wrap contained carrots, cucumber, beetroot and lettuce while the black pepper monkey head mushroom wrap only contained lettuce. I really loved the crunch that the vegetables added to the wraps! Even though no other sauces were added to the wraps, the wraps were also really moist and delicious.
The avocado and tofu feta wrap contained carrots, cucumber, beetroot and lettuce while the black pepper monkey head mushroom wrap only contained lettuce. I really loved the crunch that the vegetables added to the wraps! Even though no other sauces were added to the wraps, the wraps were also really moist and delicious.
The sides were really good as well! The last time, we were given both the purple and orange sweet potato chips to try, and everyone agreed that the orange ones were better as they were sweeter. Maybe that's why they decided to only give the orange ones this time? Haha.
The sweet potato chips were not as crispy as that day, as it was probably left for a longer time compared to before. But they were still really yummy in my opinion! My friend, however, did not appreciate them that much so I happily finished hers too. She did like the herbed potatoes though, so I (kindly) offered to trade my herbed potatoes with her sweet potato chips (jk it's called mutual benefits).
TAKEAWAYS
Vegan Charcoal Sweet Potato Focaccia Bread ($4)
The sweet potato chips were not as crispy as that day, as it was probably left for a longer time compared to before. But they were still really yummy in my opinion! My friend, however, did not appreciate them that much so I happily finished hers too. She did like the herbed potatoes though, so I (kindly) offered to trade my herbed potatoes with her sweet potato chips (jk it's called mutual benefits).
TAKEAWAYS
Vegan Charcoal Sweet Potato Focaccia Bread ($4)
So fluffy and fragrant. How is this even vegan? It tastes like some magical bread from outerspace. Though I don't taste any charcoal (what does charcoal taste like anyway?), I am convinced that this bread is healthy as I have ever read from a (hopefully reliable) source that charcoal helps to remove waste, exclude radiation, promote healthy bowel movement and aid in digestion. The sweet potatoes were not in very big chunks and were pretty dry, which is quite a pity. If only they were chunkier and moister, this bread would be BOMBDIGGIDY (please excuse my alien language). But overall, the bread still tastes pretty legit, especially considering that no animal products were used in the baking process (Y). Even my mom and dad, who are generally quite negative about vegan food, were pretty impressed by it.
Vegan Scone ($2.80)
Vegan Scone ($2.80)
Did I like this vegan scone? Yes. Does it taste like a normal scone? Nope. This scone lacked the buttery crumbly texture that normal scones have. However, I never really liked scones because I found them too dry and crumbly, which could possibly be why this scone tasted pretty good to me. Mom and dad did not quite appreciate this one though (since they're fans of the real buttery crumbly scones slathered in butter and jam).
Toasted it and slapped on some pineapple & mango jam. YUM. I love the bready springy texture of this not-so-scony scone.
Soba, So Good in a Jar ($6)
Soba, So Good in a Jar ($6)
If you remember my review about the tasting at Well Dressed Salad Bar, I really liked this soba salad! So when I saw it in a jar, I knew I NEEDED TO get it (if you didn't know yet, I have a soft spot for jars). Will be eating it at room temperature in school during lunch on one of the days though, but I'm sure it'll still taste just as good when covered in that delicious sesame peanut dressing. They could work on the portion though, I probably would need at least five jars to fill my huge stomach (#sorrynotsorry). Will probably bring some extra bread (my everything) and add in some tofu feta (see below) for some extra protein.
Tofu Feta ($3)
Tofu Feta ($3)
Tried their tofu feta for the second time and I was convinced that I had to get one to put in my sandwiches. I mean, how is it possible that they can even make tofu taste like legit feta cheese? Like, with this I don't even need cheese anymore, really. I am quite sure that the liquid the tofu is soaked in is just brine though, so $3 is probably a little over the top for such a small bottle. But again, it is pretty salty so it could possible last you for quite some time (mine is already 3/4 gone in one sitting though LOL)! Till then, this is my TREASURE.
HOME EXPERIMENTS
Vegan Avocado & Tofu Feta Sandwich
HOME EXPERIMENTS
Vegan Avocado & Tofu Feta Sandwich
Couldn't resist and decided to experiment on some of the food I got from the flea almost immediately - the next night! I made an open-faced vegan avocado & tofu feta sandwich! Well, technically it supposed to be a closed-faced one and I was planning to chop it into two and stick toothpicks into each side and then take really beautiful photos with my beautiful sandwich, but let's just say things don't always happen the way we plan them to be. Nevermind that, I made it open-faced instead! This is called making the best out of the situation you are in HOHOHO.
I used topped the vegan charcoal sweet potato focaccia bread with sweet pickled relish, tofu feta, basil leaves and black pepper on one side, and hummus, lettuce, cucumber, avocado, salt and pepper on the other! There! Who says vegan is gross, huh? Let me give you a slap. (I'm joking, please do not sue me for verbal abuse, my dear friends.)
I used topped the vegan charcoal sweet potato focaccia bread with sweet pickled relish, tofu feta, basil leaves and black pepper on one side, and hummus, lettuce, cucumber, avocado, salt and pepper on the other! There! Who says vegan is gross, huh? Let me give you a slap. (I'm joking, please do not sue me for verbal abuse, my dear friends.)
It was a party in my mouth. Literally, every component of the dish popped with every bite I took. The sweetness of the relish together with the saltiness of the tofu feta, and the creaminess of the avocado together with the crunchiness of the veggies and the graininess of the hummus. I LOVE MY LIFE. This was so good, it explained why I finished almost half a jar of relish, three quarters of the jar of tofu feta and like all the bread you can ever imagine. Just give me this sandwich. I don't need anymore in life.
LAST WORDS
Overall, my friend and I had a really wonderful time eating the delicious vegan food and chatting with the friendly owners! It also opened our eyes up more about the vegan lifestyle, which was really useful for us, since both of us are aspiring vegans! Thank you so much for hosting this event, Well Dressed Salad Bar!
Read about my previous visit at Well Dressed Salad Bar here!
LAST WORDS
Overall, my friend and I had a really wonderful time eating the delicious vegan food and chatting with the friendly owners! It also opened our eyes up more about the vegan lifestyle, which was really useful for us, since both of us are aspiring vegans! Thank you so much for hosting this event, Well Dressed Salad Bar!
Read about my previous visit at Well Dressed Salad Bar here!