sustainable | Big Picture Vegan

1 tsp cinnamon

Date Honey/Syrup

Jackfruit looks strange from the outside– its giant and green, oblong and covered in a million tiny green spikes– but inside it is a mildly sweet fruit somewhere between a mango and an artichoke. The young green jackfruit can be found in cans, or it can be found whole or pre-cut closer to ripe in most asian grocery stores. I always like to finish my jackfruit in a cast iron pan (I use this one from Lodge)

A little bit of bravery and a very sharp knife will cut through the thick outer skin of the whole fruit, giving you a great base that can take on many flavors from pulled v-pork to jerk v-chicken, giving you a healthy plant-based alternative to classic foods! Even better, jackfruit grows in abundance, making this a sustainable crop for local farmers year-round.

Continue reading Jerk Jackfruit →

Do you ever wish there was an index of all the best vegan shopping guides around? Well, wait no more! These links are all working as of this date, and they span a range of styles, costs, and special consideration has been given to lists that include sustainable industry practices. Enjoy!

Our Short List:

PrAna- Offering great options for men and women, especially geared towards active lifestyles and yoga, this eco-friendly company is often 1/3 the price of market competitors.

Vaute- Vaute is a fashion option for those not willing to lose their stylish edge when they ditch the animal products! Good trendy options for men and women.

Herbivore Clothing- Mostly vegan slogan t-shirts, this mainstay represents the message in fun and accessible ways. Think of them the next time a witty t-shirt can make a mark.

Rawganique- Known by hippies and vegans alike, this eco-friendly company focuses on hemp goods, natural fibers, and sustainability.

Moo Shoes- Despite the name, they have no Moo in their shoes, and also have belts, wallets and other items otherwise made from animal leather. Moo Shoes offers classic and stylish items that may even fool your non-vegan friends and family.

Mercy For Animals Shop- When choosing where to shop, consider the beneficiary! In this case MFA! One of the best animal rights organizations in the world has a shop that helps sustain their cause, and keeps you sporting vegan awesomeness yourself.

Original Cult/Lip Service- I wouldn’t be doing by Goth Vegan duties if I didn’t at least pay them some lip service, get it? This OG Punk company started using vegan leathers on everything before it was cool. Now you can find everything from leather pants to those rocker holsters all in veg leather.

The List of Lists:

Vegan Kit

Farm Sanctuary

Vegan Online Stores

Peta’s Cruelty Free Shopping Guide

Etsy Vegan Clothing Search

The Vegan Scholar- Brands

Humane Decisions- Designers and Brands

The Friendly Fig- Brands

One Green Planet Shopping Guide

Buzzfeed Eco-Friendly Cruelty Free

Peta’s Vegan-friendly Retailers