Alberta

[Sabriel_Paws]

I live in Wetaskiwin...I would love to meet other vegans...I'm so sick of being surrounded by Omni's. So, please, if any vegans live here or near here, pm me!

[vata07]

In Calgary you can get Boca Burgers at some Safeways, Co-op's and Planet Organic (Which is the best HFS ever, down on Southland drive!)
what about the tofurkey "dogs" at superstore?? those seem pretty good.

[taryn]

I lived in Calgary most of my life and moved to Edmonton in September. I'm surprised how many vegetarian/vegan-friendly restaurant are in Edmonton. Anyone been to Padmanadi?? mmm

[Spirittap]

Moving back to Edmonton this summer :hamster:. I miss home.

[taryn]

I've found Alberta, or at least Edmonton and Calgary surprisingly Veg friendly.

I can think of at least 5 veggie restaurants in Calgary and dozens more really veg*n friendly ones here, not to mention about 15 HFS.

Not bad for a place nicknamed Cowtown.

Yeah, I definitely agree. Calgary and Edmonton are surprisingly veg-friendly. It is wondeful.

Although Calgary has the Stampede. I strongly dislike the Stampede. I can see why there would be the impression that Alberta is very anti-vegetarian/vegan, though: The "I heart Alberta Beef" bumper stickers and all that. I heart Alberta cows ALIVE, actually.

[jeff_veg]

I think the key word you are using is surprisingly. I wouldn't call it a super veg-friendly province, but there are enough options around to make it more than livable for us (thank you community natural foods and Indian restaurants!). A lot of places you really need to seek out because they are not well advertised, but we are really lucky in terms of the wide range of excellent ethnic options we have here. You can get just about anything if you know where to look.

[Lucious]

I live in Calgary, and I find that although the majority of the population is high on beef and ridiculously conservative when it comes to milk and eggs, there are many Veg*n options. I love Planet Organic, and most supermarkets have organic foods, and vegan alternatives. Especially Superstore that now has a "natural foods" aisle. The farmer's markets are incredible too!

Although there isn't a huge array of vegetarian restaurants, there are enough options to not leave us in the dark.

[vata07]

Although there isn't a huge array of vegetarian restaurants, there are enough options to not leave us in the dark.
why is it that the "vegetarian" options on most of the menus consists simply of removing the meat from an otherwise typical dish?? don't think i've ever seen a truly veg. dish at a non veg restaurant.

[Lucious]

why is it that the "vegetarian" options on most of the menus consists simply of removing the meat from an otherwise typical dish?? don't think i've ever seen a truly veg. dish at a non veg restaurant.

That's true for the most part. Those are big chains that think of the majority of the population, and see no market in vegetarian options (even though lots of people would probably order the if they have the chance).

I've never really gone to restaurants, so they don't interest me much, but when I do, I plan ahead, and there's quite a few vegetarian restaurants to choose from.

[Jepawsbo]

I live in Fort McMurray-- pretty crappy for veggies up here, but I can cook, and Oh, Natural is wonderful. (:

Anyway, hello everyone. I know barely any vegetarians/vegans in real life.

I guess this is a pretty lame first post for me.
Ahaha. I'm new here on veggieboards.

[Lucious]

I live in Fort McMurray-- pretty crappy for veggies up here, but I can cook, and Oh, Natural is wonderful. (:

Anyway, hello everyone. I know barely any vegetarians/vegans in real life.

I guess this is a pretty lame first post for me.
Ahaha. I'm new here on veggieboards.


I feel for you, I know no vegetarians/vegans in real life. (Except my sister, who's a cheating vegetarian). It's nice to see more people from Alberta who are vegetarians! It almost seemed hopeless.

[taryn]

I feel for you, I know no vegetarians/vegans in real life. (Except my sister, who's a cheating vegetarian). It's nice to see more people from Alberta who are vegetarians! It almost seemed hopeless.


I don't know any vegans or vegetarians either. If I have, they were the judgemental-type that does not approve of having omnivorous friends or something of the sort. So, it is lonely being a veggie. :( But I agree, it is nice to hear I'm not alone.

[Lucious]

I don't know any vegans or vegetarians either. If I have, they were the judgemental-type that does not approve of having omnivorous friends or something of the sort. So, it is lonely being a veggie. :( But I agree, it is nice to hear I'm not alone.

I agree. Those are the only kind I seem to have ever met. They're really intense, and into veg*anism. I wouldn't know where to look though if I wanted to find veggies.

[synergy]

why is it that the "vegetarian" options on most of the menus consists simply of removing the meat from an otherwise typical dish?? don't think i've ever seen a truly veg. dish at a non veg restaurant.

Go to ethnic restaurants, rather than chains. The veggie dishes are... well, veggie.

Indian and Mediterranean places are fantastic for this! (in Calgary at least!)

[Lucious]

Go to ethnic restaurants, rather than chains. The veggie dishes are... well, veggie.

Indian and Mediterranean places are fantastic for this! (in Calgary at least!)

I would really love to check out more restaurants, but I can't seem to find anyone who wants to come with me! They all fear ethnic foods, and the thought of *gasp* vegetarian foods instills fear among the omnis in my life.

The Calgary Vegetarian Society (at least that's what I think it's called...) doesn't seem to have a website anymore either. =(

[synergy]

That's really weird about the vegetarian society.
They used to have a really good website.
I'm not really active in the community, so I don't visit that often.

Here is the happy cow calgary page for you:
http://www.happycow.net/north_america/canada/alberta/calgary/index.html

There are some places that are surprisingly good for omnivores as well as veggies, like Milestone's.

Do your friends like any kind of ethnic foods, like Italian or Mexican?

If so, I can give you some recommendations.

[Lucious]

That's really weird about the vegetarian society.
They used to have a really good website.
I'm not really active in the community, so I don't visit that often.

Here is the happy cow calgary page for you:
http://www.happycow.net/north_america/canada/alberta/calgary/index.html

There are some places that are surprisingly good for omnivores as well as veggies, like Milestone's.

Do your friends like any kind of ethnic foods, like Italian or Mexican?

If so, I can give you some recommendations.

Thanks! I want to check some restaurants out, but I tend to avoid them because eating out is expensive and I love to cook. But when I do find someone up for a quasi-veggie meal, I'll be sure to choose wisely. =)

[Jepawsbo]

I'd love to meet more veggies... :]
I mean, I don't even know half the people on this site and I feel slightly connected because of our beliefs...

[taryn]

I'd love to meet more veggies... :]
I mean, I don't even know half the people on this site and I feel slightly connected because of our beliefs...

Yeah...I know what you mean. I talk to some of my friends and it is slightly frustrating because I love them but they don't seem to understand a part of my life that is only growing in importance.

And now my family has gone on the Atkins diet so they are on the other end of the spectum of me COMPLETELY. haha.

It is a lonely life...not feeding on the flesh of other living, breathing, feeling beings. :(

Do any Edmontonians go to the Vegetarians of Alberta club that is here? I want to, but I feel I may be the only one under the age of 25 and still in University.

[synergy]

I'd love to meet more veggies... :]
I mean, I don't even know half the people on this site and I feel slightly connected because of our beliefs...

I've met lots of vegetarians in Calgary at places like Community Foods, Planet Organic and the Coup. It feels really neat to meet people with similar beliefs!

[Jepawsbo]

Yeah...I know what you mean. I talk to some of my friends and it is slightly frustrating because I love them but they don't seem to understand a part of my life that is only growing in importance.

And now my family has gone on the Atkins diet so they are on the other end of the spectum of me COMPLETELY. haha.

It is a lonely life...not feeding on the flesh of other living, breathing, feeling beings. :(

Do any Edmontonians go to the Vegetarians of Alberta club that is here? I want to, but I feel I may be the only one under the age of 25 and still in University.

Sorry. I live in Fort McMurray... :\
I wish there was some sort of a vegetarian club here...

[Jepawsbo]

I've met lots of vegetarians in Calgary at places like Community Foods, Planet Organic and the Coup. It feels really neat to meet people with similar beliefs!


I'm jealous, lol. :stinkeye:

[Lucious]

I'm jealous, lol. :stinkeye:


Me too. I have a tough time meeting people even in these places.

P.S. Planet Organic is HEAVEN! =)

I still have to hit up The Coup. I read their menu online (many times) and every single item sounds delectable!

[Lucious]

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[taryn]

Hey! I worked at Good Earth Cafe in Calgary for about 8 months last year.

The food is pretty good but wayyyyy over priced. From an insiders point-of-view, they're not as great as people think, but it is nice to know there are some vegan options.

Just a note for some vegetarians out there - there is gelatin the in the plain yogurt they put in their smoothies and fruit cups (the kind with granola) and they don't mention that. They also add sugar to the fruit...which doesn't make sense to me at all.

They also treat their employees like crap...aka me. They often trick you and try to give you the lowest wage possible. You also need to beg them for months for them to give you a raise that was promised and whatnot. They did a lot of other things too that I won't get into.

They're also just trying to francise like starbucks or any other stupid business. Sorry for being so negative, I just feel really angry at people who "green wash" things (as in make things seem more environmentally friendly than they really are), or how they make it seem like a hip and different place to go when really it is just another business looking to make A LOT of money. And lattes should not cost $5 or $6, I'm sorry. I loved being a barista and making lattes and whatnot, but Good Earth is just a load of crap. GRRR... hahaha I think I'm just cranky because I'm hungry.

There's a Good Earth here in Edmonton by the University now. I went once and paid the stupid $6.00 or whatever (because it was soy) for a latte thinking I would treat myself. It was burnt and disgusting. Worst latte I have ever had. Even my boyfriend, who can't tell the difference between 7-11 coffee or the good italian espresso (mmm) gagged after taking a sip. Wow I'm such a coffee snob. :p How shameful.

Anyway, sorry about the rant. Just thought I'd tell you about a few things I have learned. I think it is a better option than starbucks or second cup, however. They at least sell fair trade, shade grown (nice to the birds), organic coffees and their food is actually good and healthy for take out - the Pumpkin muffin is delightful, so are the soups. If veganism has taught me anything, it is that you make a moral decision every time you buy something. You can either support the practices of a business by paying them (that is essentially what we do when we buy something), or we can find something better. I guess Good Earth is the better of two evils?