greenlight district

What Snooki and I have in common

I work in New Jersey and thus spend a bulk of my time there or getting there. NJ is definitely cool for some people, and I do enjoy the occasional suburban pleasures it offers, but when Jersey Shore debuted, I honestly couldn't get down. The last thing I want to do while safe at home in Brooklyn is return to the Dirty J, even if it is to its sunny boardwalked-shores.

But I finally gave up and drank a special hipster cool-aid: 1 part Gawker's field guide to the show chased with 4 parts Michael Cera's Youth in Revolt/Jersey Shore mash-up. (Watch all of the videos here! Stand out Cera quote: "I see the appeal. It's fun. Beating up the ground.") I watched a mini marathon, much easier to swallow with Michael's hair-gel fueled, fist-pumping vignettes. And with the knowledge of what a grenade/grenade launcher is.

Like all of us with taste, I was immediately drawn to Snooki, but what really pushed me over the edge was her repulsed reaction to the boys' lobster dinner. "I'm a vet tech," she explained. "I save animals. I don't kill them." 

GIRL. I hear that. Eating lobster is totes like indulging in a big plate of biodiversity-ruining, ocean ecosystem-devastating grossness. Plus they look like big, red cockroaches -- ew! Ignoring the next shot of our animal lovin' star suckling on a ham bone, she wins honorable mention for standing up for what she (kinda) believes in. Bravo, Snooks!

And happy new year, everyone! I would love to know what you all think about Jersey Shore -- and if YOU knew what a grenade was before watching this...

Photoshopping: Courtesy of this guy

Are there vegetarian buffets in Vegas?

I guess I'll find out.

Here's a really fabulous scenario: my job is sending me to Las Vegas for a few days!! As excited as I am, I can't imagine how effing thrilled someone else would be -- like, maybe someone who:
a) drinks more than 3 margaritas a year
b) knows how to count cards (or at least can play poker with them)
c) can enjoy all of the meaty treats on the many buffet lines

This summer has been a mix of trips, some more greenlight district than others (faux cheesesteaks in Philly, wild strawberries along the side of the road in Alaska -- but more on those later...) and I wonder what this work vacay will hold in terms of fake meats and locavore-friendly options. Rest assured, visions of seitan smorgasboards and vegan treat tables will be dancing in my head. As I sleep peacefully in my king size bed in the Wynn Encore Resort...

Vegan for a Week

It's coming ya'll. I just wanted to warn you. As I go on my eco (and even newly veg) journey with all of you, one person has decided to follow along - for a week.

My roommate Joe moved in in August with a small UHaul truck filled with his dance clothes, a couple fannypacks, and a Costco supply of: Easy Mac and other Kraft noodle/cheese varieties, Chef Boyardee for days, instant taters, Crystal Light, hot dogs, Dunkaroos, etc. This was all complimented by our other roommate Kellyn's selection of similar products plus chicken noodle soups, Goldfish, Gushers, and an interesting concoction known as Que Bueno!. Their cabinets look like a screenshot straight out of my wildest nightmares/dreams/starchy carby heaven. Soon Oscar Mayer lunch meats, Wonder bread, and white pasta (prepared with ketchup and garlic salt) joined the troops. My previous roommate Mouse was veg so we lived the entire year with no meats in the apt, and even before I went vegetarian I ate pretty healthy so this was new to me.

I've been slowly introducing J to the veg scene, enticing them both with vegan baked goods every week - not wanting to pop his or her V-card too hard with an excess of tempeh and seitan masquerading as meats. Recently, he volunteered to go vegan for a week - all for the sake of greenlight! And your voyeuristic pleasure! What a sport! We'll spend a week keeping food journals (yikes! that's so eating disorder, I know, but chill out, peoples, it's for the sake of experimental blogging) of his usual habits then take a trip to the farmer's market and some health food grocery stores and embark on our journey. Any of you ever "converted" people or shocked friends and family with secretly meat-free meals? or egg/dairy-free desserts? The latter should pretty much be my j.o.b.

Stay tuned for Joe's journey through the unchartered territory void of animal bi-products!