Vegan Recipes, Relatable Opossums, and TikTok Revolutions
Dearest friends of Tenderly, the sweetest vegan magazine on planet earth,
How are you? How difficult is it to answer that question anymore? Whenever I find myself reflexively saying “I’m good,” a flood of feelings rushes forward to say “not so fast!” I know I’m really lucky in lots of ways — to have a home, an income, and healthy family and friends (humans and animals included). I’ve been cooking and writing more (more on that coming soon to Tenderly!). But, of course, I’m also nervous and anxious, having weird nightmares, and I miss hugs.
What I hope for you is that you’re staying as safe and well as you can, that you’re giving yourself lots of breaks and space, that you’re nourishing yourself with delicious plants, and that you are still finding ways to connect with your loved ones, your community, and with the animals, flowers, and sunshine.
Here’s what Tenderly has been up to lately…
New recipes — comforting, pantry-friendly, delicious! Patatas Bravas by Alicia Kennedy. French onion ramen by Tim Anderson. Bean and broccoli rabe sandwich by Bryant Terry. Polish cabbage fried rice by Lee Kalpakis. The best vegan carrot cake by Sarah Ridgeway. SO MANY POTATOES! (check out our gnocchi video demo!)
If you’re not already following Tabitha Brown on TikTok, you should be. This joyful, non-judgemental vegan actress and home cook is basically our queen.
Three small vegan business owners — Chris Kim of Monk’s Meats in Brooklyn, Shannon Roche of Crust Vegan Bakery in Philadelphia, and Lagusta Yearwood of Lagusta’s Luscious, Commissary, and Confectionery in New Paltz and New York City— share their Coronavirus challenges and the reasons and ways they say that the restaurant industry must change permanently in order to survive and operate ethically.
Vegan food has the unfortunate role of serving as an advertisement for the entire lifestyle. Queue aspirational smoothie bowls and perfectly composed plates. But right now, all people need is comfort. It’s time. Let Vegan Food Be Ugly, please.
What would Animal Crossing: New Horizons be like if it was a real island? Very, very bloody.
If you’re lucky enough not to need your Coronavirus stimulus check to help you survive, you might consider donating it to people and/or animals who could use some help.
“Over the past few weeks, the free have had a taste of captivity. Hopefully, the flavors offered by the corpses of our fellow creatures won’t be enough to clean this taste from our mouths. I’m optimistic that the bitterness might linger, inspiring empathy for the members of our species who have made mistakes and for those unfortunate individuals who belong to other species.” —Coronavirus Put Us in Captivity
Animal rights activist Yennifer Martinez is on the virtual frontlines of ending animal cruelty in Latin America. She’s made it her mission to end bullfighting. Read our interview with her for inspiration on changing the world for animals, starting in your own community.
Good news for squirrels, picnics, and everybody: people are making picnic tables for squirrels now.
“I want to be the first to say what will doubtless become the consensus of the scientific community going forward: The spinosaurus is a marvelous, glorious, fearless, and, yes, semi-aquatic, badass, and she is our literal queen. I don’t think it’s going too far to suggest that we should worship her as a benevolent swimming deity.” —What Is a Spinosaurus?
Meet Namal, the three-legged elephant living at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalwawe, Sri Lanka — and his human BFF, Ruwan, who won’t leave his side as long as he is needed.
Many of us are increasingly interested in living more sustainably. Here’s a tiny, cool way to start: regrow your scallions!
In the latest edition of her Queering Vegan series, Leah Kirts interviewed TikTok activist, community organizer, and vegan cook Gem Nwanne. It’s a wise, far-reaching conversation on everything from the importance of black and queer spaces to the joys of Nigerian-inspired vegan comfort food.
Pangolins are shy, gentle creatures who are the most trafficked animal in the world. A pangolin rescue center reminds us that while scientists believe the Coronavirus originated in the exploitation and consumption of animals, the animals themselves are not to blame.
Even if it saves human lives, animal testing is wrong.
“Whatever the subject matter, her words are resonant and comforting, and when anxious, with my thoughts an unfriendly blur, I’ll read her books. They’re as full of life as they are of recipes — she references everything from Lucullus to Fred’s of Hollywood, she understands food’s role in times of grief, and she merrily deep-fries chocolate bars.” —The Surprising Vegan Comfort of Nigella Lawson
Sunflower seeds are so underrated. Here’s how to get the most out of this versatile, sustainable ingredient.
Activist and illustrator Kate Louise Powell created a new beautifully illustrated piece for us about looking closer at the natural world to find the beauty in every inch.
“Opossums are a reminder to ourselves that even in these dark moments, we are stronger and more capable than others may think. We will not go gentle into that good night. We will fight, hissing and screaming.” —How Opossums Hissed Their Way Into Our Hearts
Theo the pittie was abused and left for dead at just a few weeks old. Author Jo Varnish brought him home a few days after reading his sad story online — and they’ve been busting damaging stereotypes about his breed ever since. Nowadays, Theo works as a therapy dog and brings joy to everyone he meets.
Rattlesnakes are basically puppy dogs.
If you’re lucky enough to share your life with animals, now is a great time to ensure you have a plan in place for their care in the case of your hospitalization or death. It may sound morbid, but it’s actually reassuring to know that your loved ones will be okay if you aren’t.
“This is perhaps the most important lesson veganism has taught me: for change to be workable, livable, and sustainable, it needs to go beyond practicality and the enthusiasm for a new lifestyle. It needs to take into account the pain of giving things up, even when we know that change will mean living in a more ethical way. It involves a process of mourning.” —Being Vegan Helped Me Prepare for This
Need a break? Try these soothing animal videos to get yourself right. Alternately, look at this tiny art gallery for gerbils.
Stay well, friends,
— Summer Anne Burton, Editor-in-Chief of Tenderly
P.S. Please consider following us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. And join our FB group to share tips, questions, and meet other vegans!
