Sure, wine is mostly grapes with a bit of yeast and some sulfites thrown in, but did you know that the winemaking process also includes something called finings, which are most often made from fish, shrimp, ground up tendons and even blood? For most wine drinkers, this may not be an issue, but for the vegan or vegetarian consumer, this is a big no-no.

Finings are substances used during the wine production process to remove particles and improve clarity and flavor. The finings do not remain in the wine, so you aren’t actually consuming them, but if an animal product is used in the production of a product, then that product is not suitable for vegans or other folks interested in purchasing cruelty-free products.

Most winemakers use animal-derived finings and they do not have to put this information on the label. Therefore, you need to consult a vegan wine guide vegans.frommars.org/wine/  before you go wine shopping, since you won’t be able to determine which is suitable for you once you are at the store. You can always ask the clerk, but in my experience, more often than not, they have no idea – unless, of course you are in Whole Foods Market or a natural foods store. 

First, for a better understanding, let’s look at the most common non-vegan finings used in wine production.

Isinglass – a gelatinous substance made from the swim bladders of fish (mainly sturgeon and cod)

Chitosan – a fibrous substance made from grinding up the shells of shrimp (and other crustaceans)

Casein – a milk protein

Gelatin – a substance made for the collagen found in the connective tissues (like tendons) of animals

Egg Albumen – the clear part of an egg that turns white when cooked

Animal albumen/dried blood – animal blood, usually bull blood (this one is not allowed in France or the U.S.A.).

There are vegan alternatives to the above animal products, such as bentonite, which is a natural clay powder. And, fortunately, there is a long list of winemakers that do offer vegan and vegetarian wines. Some of them are a bit tougher to find, but popular, easy-to-find vintners - like Yellow Tail from Australia - can be found in most places that sell wine. (Yellow Tail’s red wines are vegan, but their white wines are not, so keep that in mind.) 

Here are some other options for finding vegan wines:

Vegans are from Mars has a great, printable Pocket Vegan Wine Guide that you can take to the store with you.

Visit Vegan Connection www.veganconnection.com/veganwine.htm for a Vegan Wine Guide and online retailers.

Taste Better! has a wine guide listing companies as vegan friendly or not vegan friendly

Some grocery stores, such as Safeway offer a variety of vegan wines.

Whole Foods Market has a great wine selection, some of which are suitable for vegans. Try The Organic Wine Works wines, which will say right on the label if it is vegan.

The Organic Wine Company has a wide variety of vegan wines ranging in price from $9.99 to $49.99.

And, a quick note on champagne – popular brands Dom Perignon and Moet & Chandon are both vegan and are sold anywhere that champagne is sold.

This is a little random to add to this blog, but it does fall under the "Cheap" part of Cheap Vegan Chick, and it's just laying around in one of my writing folders now that the website it was published on has been closed. So here you go, my Seattle friends!


For more than 100 years Ye Olde Curiosity Shop has offered a truly unique experience for visitors and residents on Seattle’s waterfront. Joe Standley first opened the shop in 1899 as Standley’s Free Museum, later renaming it Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and filling it with unique, international finds that can still be seen today.

Through his trading and relationships with explorers, native people, trappers, prospectors and travelers, Standley was able to acquire rare items from around the world. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop has always been family owned and operated, and Joe’s descendants continue to acquire odd little tidbits and display them for the world to see.

There is no admission fee, and there never has been. Anyone is free to come in to gaze at the hundreds of natural wonders, cultural artifacts and oddities that fill the walls and hang from the ceiling. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop holds so many historical displays and unique objects that it has outgrown its location on Pier 54 and has expanded to include a second location, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop Too on Pier 55.

You will definitely want to stop in at both locations or else you might miss some of the one-of-a-kind bits and pieces you won’t see anywhere else in the world. From blowguns to ancient artifacts to Northwest native art, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop has something to fit the fancy of every family member.

Many celebrities have visited the shop to take a peek at the shrunken heads – including one that the shop reports is the smallest shrunken head in the world – and museums around the world have acquired artifacts from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop for their displays. 

There are skeletons, lots of animal specimens vegans may or may not want to see, a grain of rice with the entire Lord’s Prayer engraved on it, a merman of questionable authenticity, and hundreds of other distinctive items to gawk at.  

One of their most famous displays is Sylvester, a 130 pound, amazingly preserved mummy who lived during the old west and was found naked with a fatal gunshot wound in the Gila Bend Desert. He isn’t their only mummy, but he is the most popular. You can even buy a Sylvester bobble head to keep you company of the way home, or a postcard with his likeness to send off to an oddity-loving friend.

There are also mechanical displays that tell fortunes and show old time scenes, viewing machines that display historic photos, and even a penny squishing machine for an inexpensive souvenir option. But, of course, souvenir options are everywhere you turn, with shelf after shelf of Seattle souvenirs, Northwest art, truly tacky tchotchkes, personalized items, objects from around the world, t-shirts and other completely random things you never knew you needed.

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and Ye Olde Curiosity Shop Too are located at Piers 54 and 55 on Alaskan Way on the Seattle waterfront. During the summer, the shop is open from 9:00am to 9:30pm everyday. Winter hours are from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00am-6:00pm the rest of the week.

While you are there, don’t forget to ask about meeting times and tickets for the Spooked in Seattle Ghost Tours led by actual ghost hunters.

Here is one more Yves Meatless Deli Slices product review I did for that other site and am now moving over here to the CVC blog...

Yves Meatless Deli Bologna: Nutrition Information

The serving size on the package is four slices, which contains 80 calories, 14 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fat. I am always looking for high protein, low fat foods to recommend to my clients, particularly foods that also offer lots of other vitamins and minerals. Yves Meatless Deli Bologna does just that, and has no trans fat, no saturated fat and no cholesterol - and is loaded with heart-healthy soy protein.

Those of us who are vegan and vegetarian know all to well what a challenge it can be to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals in our diets each day – particularly the B vitamins and iron. If this is a challenge for you, you will be happy to hear that Yves® Meatless Deli Bologna offers 20% of the daily recommended value of iron, 20% of thiamin, 8% of riboflavin, 25% of niacin, 15% of vitamin B6, 20% of vitamin B12 and 20% of zinc per serving – plus 2% of calcium and 4% of magnesium.

As for nutrition, Yves Meatless Deli Bologna is not quite as healthful as their Meatless Deli Salami, which has no fat and higher amounts of some vitamins and minerals. It also has a bit more fat than their Meatless Deli Turkey, but is still a healthful choice – and certainly better for you than animal-derived bologna.

Yves Meatless Deli Bologna: Taste and Texture

While Yves Meatless Deli Salami is still the most flavorful of their products that I have tried so far; their Meatless Deli Bologna also has a good flavor and works well as a substitute for animal-derived bologna. And, considering that salami has more spices, and, therefore will always have more flavor than bologna, one would not expect their meatless bologna to have as strong a flavor as their meatless salami.

The flavor and texture are appropriate for a bologna substitute, but if you like a bit more kick, try Yves Meatless Deli Salami instead.

Yves Meatless Deli Bologna: Overall and Other Yves® Products

There are ten slices in each package, with a package costing around $2.79, depending on the grocer. The slices are thick and hearty and the taste is better than other bologna substitutes I have tried.  It’s not my favorite Yves® product, but as far as meatless bologna goes, this is the one that tops the charts.

Yves’ other meatless deli slices include turkey, ham, salami, pepperoni, roast beef and smoked chicken. My two favorites are the salami and the pepperoni.

When compared to their meaty counterparts, most of Yves products actually have more protein while having less fat and no cholesterol. This makes Yves products great sources of protein that aren’t weighed down with all the stuff that’s bad for us. So, whether you are vegan or vegetarian, or just want to eat a little healthier, I highly recommend trying Yves Meatless Deli Bologna and their other great meatless products.

Yves Meatless Deli Bologna: Serving Suggestions

1. Cut slices into bite-sized chunks and place in a salad for added protein.
2. Wrap slices around vegan cheese and secure with a toothpick for a fun appetizer.
3. Serve in a sandwich with vegan mayonnaise, mustard, tomato and spinach.
4. Serve in a wrap using a tortilla or flatbread.

Another vegan product review I wrote a couple of years ago for another website and am now moving over here...

Yves Meatless Pepperoni: Nutrition Information

The serving size on the package is six slices, which contains 80 calories, 14 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. I am always looking for high protein, low fat foods to recommend to my clients, particularly foods that also offer lots of other vitamins and minerals. Yves Meatless Pepperoni does just that, and has no trans fat, no saturated fat and no cholesterol - and is loaded with heart-healthy soy protein.

Those of us who are vegan and vegetarian know all to well what a challenge it can be to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals in our diets each day – particularly the B vitamins and iron. If this is a challenge for you, you will be happy to hear that Yves® Meatless Pepperoni offers 20% of the daily recommended value of iron, thiamin, vitamin B12 and zinc per serving – plus 4% each of calcium, magnesium and vitamin A.

As for nutrition, Yves Meatless Pepperoni is not quite as healthful as some of their other meatless deli slices, but is far healthier than its animal-derived counterpart – not to mention that is has none of the preservatives you will find in animal-derived pepperoni. Therefore, Yves Meatless Deli Salami or Meatless Deli Turkey are healthier choices overall, but if you are looking for a pepperoni substitute, Yves Meatless Pepperoni is a healthy addition to your diet and the most nutritious alternative I have found.

Yves Meatless Pepperoni: Taste and Texture

Yves Meatless Pepperoni has the perfect amount of spice and a great flavor. It is one of my favorite products from the Yves line and definitely my favorite meatless pepperoni product across brands. The texture is a great substitute for animal-derived pepperoni and it cooks perfectly for vegan or vegetarian pizzas and calzones.  

Yves Meatless Pepperoni: Overall and Other Yves® Products

Yves Meatless Pepperoni is the best vegan pepperoni I have found and is a healthy alternative to animal-derived pepperoni. The taste and texture are superior to any other pepperoni substitute I have tried and I highly recommend this product.

There are fifteen slices in each package, with a package costing around $2.79, depending on the grocer. The slices are pretty similar to what you would expect pepperoni to look like and I would plan on using the whole package (at least) if you are making pizza. 

Yves’ other meatless deli slices include turkey, ham, salami, bologna, roast beef and smoked chicken. My two favorites are the salami and the pepperoni. The pepperoni is perfect for sandwiches or vegan/vegetarian pizzas and calzones, and I can often be found sneaking a slice of salami in the middle of the night.

When compared to their meaty counterparts, most of Yves products actually have more protein while having less fat and no cholesterol. This makes Yves products great sources of protein that aren’t weighed down with all the stuff that’s bad for us. So, whether you are vegan or vegetarian, or just want to eat a little healthier, I highly recommend trying Yves Meatless Pepperoni and their other great meatless products.

Yves Meatless Pepperoni: Serving Suggestions

1. Use as a topping for a great vegan or vegetarian pepperoni pizza.  
2. Combine with onions and vegan mozzarella cheese inside a calzone.
3. Wrap slices around vegan cheese and secure with a toothpick for a fun appetizer.
4. Serve in a sandwich with vegan mayonnaise and vegan mozzarella cheese.  
5. Serve in a wrap using a tortilla or flatbread with pizza sauce and shredded vegan mozzarella cheese.

Here is another vegan product review I wrote for that now-defunct website, so I'm moving

Yves Meatless Deli Salami: Nutrition Information

The serving size on the package is four slices, which contains 80 calories, 15 grams of protein and 0 grams of fat. I am always looking for high protein, low fat foods to recommend to my clients, particularly foods that also offer lots of other vitamins and minerals. Yves® Meatless Deli Salami does just that, and has no trans fat, no saturated fat and no cholesterol - and is loaded with heart-healthy soy protein.

Those of us who are vegan and vegetarian know all to well what a challenge it can be to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals in our diets each day – particularly the B vitamins and iron. If this is a challenge for you, you will be happy to hear that Yves® Meatless Deli Salami offers 20% of the daily recommended value of iron, 20% of thiamin, 8% of riboflavin, 25% of niacin, 20% of vitamin B6, 20% of vitamin B12 and 20% of zinc per serving – plus 4% each of calcium, magnesium and vitamin A.

Yves Meatless Deli Salami: Taste

In my quest to find healthy, flavorful products for my family and clients, I have tried most of the meatless products on the market. Some of them have tasted great, but didn’t pack the nutritious punch that I was looking for, while others were great on nutrition, but barely palatable. Yves Meatless Deli Salami scores great on both taste and nutrition and is one of my hands down favorites.

The thick slices and perfect amount of spice make this an excellent salami substitute for meat eaters, or a tasty addition to a vegan or vegetarian diet. The flavor isn’t just something you will like; it’s something you will crave.

Yves Meatless Deli Salami: Overall and Other Yves® Products

There are ten slices in each package, which costs around $2.79, depending on the grocer. The serving size is four slices, but there is enough flavor that you could use three per sandwich or salad to make the package last longer. Just remember that is you do three slices instead of four, you aren’t getting the complete amount of protein and other goodness that a full serving delivers.

Yves’ other meatless deli slices include turkey, ham, bologna, pepperoni, roast beef and smoked chicken. One of my favorites is their pepperoni, which is perfect for sandwiches or vegan/vegetarian pizzas.

When compared to their meaty counterparts, most of Yves products actually have more protein while having less fat and no cholesterol. This makes Yves products great sources of protein that aren’t weighed down with all the stuff that’s bad for us. So, whether you are vegan or vegetarian, or just want to eat a little healthier, I highly recommend trying Yves Meatless Deli Salami and their other great meatless products.

Yves Meatless Deli Salami: Serving Suggestions

1. Cut slices into bite-sized chunks and place in a salad for added protein.
2. Wrap slices around vegan cheese and secure with a toothpick for a fun appetizer.
3. Serve in a sandwich with vegan mayonnaise, mustard, tomato and spinach.
4. Serve in a wrap using a tortilla or flatbread.

This is one of many articles I wrote for a now defunct website. I will be working on adding any of the relevant articles (vegan, vegetarian, organic, green living, etc.) to the blog, so this is the first one to make its way over here.

Here you go...


Yves produces a number of meatless products that are high in soy protein and nutrition, and low in fat. So, the question is, do they taste as good as they look?

In pursuit of the best meat-free additions to a natural, healthy diet, I have tried pretty much all of the meat substitutes on the market – with very mixed results. When I came across Yves Meatless Deli Slices in a variety of flavors, I didn’t know if I had found another lackluster product or had finally found something that my family and clients would love - so, of course, I had to give them a try.
                           
Yves Meatless Deli Turkey: Nutrition Information

The serving size on the package is four slices, which contains 100 calories, 16 grams of protein and 1.5 grams of fat. Also important to note,  there is no trans fat, no saturated fat and no cholesterol.

Those of us who are vegan and vegetarian know all to well what a challenge it can be to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals in our diets each day – particularly the B vitamins and iron. If this is a challenge for you, you will be happy to hear that Yves® Meatless Deli Turkey offers 20% of the daily recommended value of iron, 20% of thiamin, 10% of riboflavin, 30% of niacin, 15% of vitamin B6, 20% of vitamin B12 and 20% of zinc per serving – plus 2% of calcium, 15% of vitamin C, and 4% of magnesium.

It has more vitamin C and niacin per serving than their Meatless Deli Salami or Meatless Deli Bologna, and has less fat than the bologna (the salami has 0 grams of fat). The turkey does have more calories than either the salami or bologna, but it also offers one more gram of protein than the salami and two more grams than the bologna.

Yves Meatless Deli Turkey: Taste and Texture

While Yves Meatless Deli Salami is still the most flavorful of their products that I have tried so far; their Meatless Deli Turkey also has a good flavor and works well as a substitute for animal-derived turkey. And, considering that salami has more spices and is meant to have a stronger flavor, one would not expect the same amount of spice from meatless turkey.  The flavor and texture are great and are appropriate for a turkey substitute, but if you like a bit more kick, go for the Meatless Deli Salami instead.

Yves Meatless Deli Turkey: Overall and Other Yves Products

There are ten slices in each package, and the slices are thick and hearty for use on sandwiches or in salads. My favorite way to enjoy Yves Meatless Deli Turkey is in a wrap with Dijon mustard, cranberry sauce and spinach.

Yves’ other meatless deli slices include salami, ham, bologna, pepperoni, roast beef and smoked chicken. My favorites are the salami and the pepperoni. The pepperoni is perfect for sandwiches or vegan/vegetarian pizzas and I can often be found sneaking a slice of salami in the middle of the night and devouring it.

Some meatless turkey lovers may prefer Tofurkey slices, particularly because they come in a variety of flavors (peppered, smoked, etc.) and are sliced very thin like higher-end deli meat, but Yves Meatless Deli Turkey slices are also a solid, tasty protein source for a plant-based diet.

When compared to their meaty counterparts, most of Yves products actually have more protein while having less fat and no cholesterol. This makes Yves products great sources of protein that aren’t weighed down with all the stuff that’s bad for us. So, whether you are vegan or vegetarian, or just want to eat a little healthier, you might want to try their Meatless Deli Turkey and their other meatless products.

Yves Meatless Deli Turkey Serving Suggestions

1. Cut slices into bite-sized chunks and place in a salad for added protein.
2. Wrap slices around vegan cheese and secure with a toothpick for a fun appetizer.
3. Serve in a sandwich with vegan mayonnaise, mustard, tomato and spinach.
4. Serve in a wrap using a tortilla or flatbread.
5. Serve in a wrap with Dijon mustard, cranberry sauce and spinach.

I was recently contacted by Greg Murray from the law firm Feinstein, Doyle, Payne & Kravec, LLC regarding a class action lawsuit against Kashi Company.

Apparently our friends over at Kashi were allegedly labeling products as "All Natural" or with "Nothing Artificial" when that might not have been entirely true.

From what I've read, it looks like there are roughly 100 Kashi products (everything from waffles to pasta) that may have had synthetic ingredients, while being labeled all natural.

You might be interested in reading this post over at Living Maxwell to learn more about some of the potentially hazardous ingredients Kashi is accused of including in their foods.

If you purchased any of the following products from Kashi between August 24, 2007 and May 1, 2014, you may be eligible to submit a claim:

• Protein Bars
• Granola Bars
• Waffles
• Cereal
• Granola
• Oatmeal
• Crackers
• Cookies
• Microwavable Dinners
• Pizza
• Pasta

Now, Feinstein, Doyle, Payne & Kravec LLC is specifically involved in a settlement in California, so if you purchased Kashi products in California during that time period, the following posting (supplied by Mr. Murray) is for you:

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IF YOU BOUGHT KASHI PRODUCTS IN CALIFORNIA, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM MONEY IN A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. Feinstein Doyle Payne & Kravec, LLC has reached a class action settlement in Astiana, et al. v. Kashi Company. This lawsuit claims that certain Kashi Products were improperly labeled, marketed, supplied, and sold as “All Natural” and/or “Nothing Artificial” even though they contained one or more allegedly synthetic ingredients.

You may be entitled to compensation for your purchases if you are a California resident who purchased, on or after August 24, 2007 through May 1, 2014, certain Kashi Products that were labeled “All Natural” or “Nothing Artificial” but contained allegedly synthetic ingredients.

In order to receive a payment, you must file a claim. THE DEADLINE TO FILE A CLAIM IS MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014. You may file a claim at: http://www.naturalclasssettlement.com/
---

If you live outside of California, you may want to check out what is going on in your state.

If nothing else, lets hope this brings more awareness to consumers regarding the unregulated use of terms like "All Natural" and results in more companies properly labeling their products.

The deadline for the California settlement is approaching quickly, so thank you, Greg Murray, for helping spread the word and let folks know about this!