Thanks for the heads up about Good Earth. I attend the University of Calgary, and it's one of the only options that I have (if I'm in a pinch, which is almost never) other than Subway that has decent vegan options.

I find most fast food venues are overpriced, so I avoid them as much as possible, also for the fact that they don't pay their workers enough. It's another reason why I don't even go to restaurants. But it's nice to know that there's options out there.

Yeah, I actually worked at the Good Earth at the UofC when I went there...I just transferred to the UofA just this September. The people at that Good Earth are awesome though. That's really the reason I stayed there so long. It is definitely one of the better places at campus and working there was nice because I could just eat free! So, it wasn't too overpriced for me :p. But after a while I guess a part-time, silly job starts to get on your nerves.

Do you like it at UofC? Another good place is the Healthy Pita place (I think it is called?) beside Kobe Beef. They have good tabouli there. mmm

Now that I am at UofA there are barely any places to eat vegan...even though it is a bigger campus. Of course, I have a lot less money this year so it may be that I have been trying less places. However, there are quite a few delicious purely vegan restaurants up here in Edmonton -- it is wonderful. There is even one right across the street from where I'm living. Although the woman who owns/cooks for/etc it is quite eccentric and has strange business hours so it is difficult to find a time to eat there. Oh well, it at least it is there. Every time I see it I get a big smile on my face.

You worked at the U of C one? Nice! I never go there, it's too far out of my way, nor do I drink coffee, but every other place is so unappetizing. I've never been to the Pita place, but I might one day, I just don't trust most fast foods there, it's all greasy... ick!

How are you liking U of A? I've never been to Edmonton so I wouldn't know what vegan life is out there, but it can't be any easier than in Calgary... Forgive my rant, but Alberta is not as well equipped for Vegans as it could be.

The Pita Place has some healthy things and it is relatively cheap. And yeah, Good Earth is definitely out of the way. I am an English major so I never had classes in ICT.

U of A is pretty good. I find it to be a better school for my English classes, and I want to go into education and the program is better at U of A. But yeah, a vegan lifestyle is not incredibly easy here, just like anywhere I think. The only vegetarian restaurant I went to in Calgary was the Coup and it was way out of the way for me. There are 3 completely vegan restaurants that I know of -- one of them makes delicious chinese food with imitation meat that, at first, I was convinced was real and had trouble eating. It isn't healthy food, but the people who own it are amazingly nice and most of the other customers are very friendly. It is really nice going every once and a while. So, I think the vegan scene may be a BIT better in Edmonton, but perhaps that is because when I lived in Calgary I lived in the suberbs with my family (1 hour bus ride to the UofC), and now I live RIGHT downtown. There is a Planet Organic just a few blocks away and, like I said earlier, a vegan restaurant across the street. I think I am just in a really good area for vegans, haha. Oh, and also the Calgary Stampede disgusts me. I HATE the rodeo...but I guess that would be obvious. I am not proud to have lived there all my life for that reason.

It sounds like you're having a good time up in Edmonton! An English major would definitely have a tough time getting to ICT. I'm a History major so I spend most of my time away from that area too. (And Mac Hall to be honest, I can't stand the smell of that nasty fast food).

I have a friend who is in her first year of education at U of A, she opted for it because it was a better option. U of C isn't bad, but it isn't the best. You're probably better off. =)

Speaking of the Stampede... it's revolting! I went for the first time in years last summer, and nothing ever changes. It's always disgusting deep fried foods, rodeos, and crappy rides. Not worth it at all.

I have not yet visited any vegetarian restaurants, but I would like to. The chinese place you speak of isn't in my future though. Mock meats are a definite turn off, and I always got sick eating Chinese anyway. I want to check out the Coup though, I've heard great things, but now I've just gotta convince someone that vegetarian food won't kill them so they'll come along with me!

You're very lucky to be near Planet Organic, I don't live too far off from the one in the NW here, but it would be great if it was closer. Supermarkets here are not well equipped at all for vegans. Sometimes I just want to move to Vancouver!

Yeah! Edmonton is pretty neat. Although I miss my family and friends. And yes, Mac Hall does smell...it definitely does. Stupid A&W!

Apparently there was deep fried macaroni at the Stampede. EW! Not sure if they still do that. I lived in Calgary almost my entire life and I only went to the Stampede once. It was so boring and smelly.

I used to think that it was wrong to want to eat something that LOOKED like meat, but then I thought, "Hey, the chicken/cow wouldn't care -- as long as it REALLY isn't them." I have taken a few omnis to the Chinese restaurant and they were very surprised everything was cruelty free! It was a nice feeling, and I think that if it opens people up to vegetarianism, it is okay in my books. I try not to have mock meats often as they are often highly processed and high in sodium. But it is still cool to have a fully vegan restaurant!

Check out the Coup. It is very tasty and from what I remember, pretty healthy too. And try Save-on-Foods as well. There is one here in Edmonton pretty close to where I live and there’s a larger natural/vegetarian section than Safeway or most other supermarkets have. It isn’t huge, but it is great to know that vegetarianism/veganism is catching on enough that it has a section!

Ew... deep fried macaroni? I hadn't a clue. Then again, I've never touched stampede food. Ever.

I read the menu from the Coup (several times) on their website and my mouth waters at everything they say!

I noticed that most supermarkets are expanding their vegan/vegetarian sections. Especially Superstore. They have a "natural foods" aisle and it's amazing. I spend all my time there.

I have to second the suggestion about the pita place at the U of C. They have an amazing vegan lentil soup that's super cheap and filling. The falafel, pita and hummus are all really good too!


I'm not a big fan of Buddah's veggie restaurant, I find the mock meats a little too much like real meat, but The Coup rocks my socks off! Most of the food is organic, and they do as much as they can to buy locally. Everything is really healthy too.

I love the Coup!
:smitten:

Buddha's veggie restaurant was disgusting when I went there! But yes, the Coup is amazing. I always bring a tupperware so I can put my leftovers in so I can get my tax removed. So great!!

I always forget to bring a tupperware container, but I do love the idea. I just try not to have any leftovers!

Have you ever tried the Messy Jane tofu scramble with Tahini-miso gravy?

No! That sounds amazing! I live in Edmonton now, but I need to go back in a few weeks to visit the 'rents. Perhaps I'll go to the Coup then and have that! I have had the falalfel quesadilla, el taco, the upstream burger and the greek goddess. Not all at once though. :)

I also really like the upstream burger, el taco and the falafel. The budda bowl with Quinoah is extra spectacular with Thai Green Curry!
I haven't tried the Greek Goddess yet, but I really want to. I need to make it there sometime soon!

I have to second the suggestion about the pita place at the U of C. They have an amazing vegan lentil soup that's super cheap and filling. The falafel, pita and hummus are all really good too!



Thanks for the tip! I didn't have a clue that anything was vegan in Mac Hall. Do you know if there's anything else? I'm definitely going to try this lentil soup, I love lentil soup!

I would like to get my entire family to go to the Coup for my birthday but I don't think that will blow over very well. Although I did make vegan brownies, chickpea cutlets, veggie gravy and dressing for Christmas dinner and they were all hits...perhaps they will be more open minded now?

Nothing is very good at Mac Hall at UofC other than the pita place. I find that to buy some romaine lettuce salad is like $5 at some places so it is a big waste. At Kobe Beef you can get steamed rice for really cheap, or get rice with veggies, but I think they cook the veggies on the same surface as the meat...if you care about that. There is a joke about Kobe Beef that there is a 'mystery meat' in some of their dishes. Not a joke that is very good for business.

I would looove to bring my family to the Coup. I'm sure my mom would be up for it, she loves tofu. The rest of my family... ehh... it all sounds too "healthy" for them. Maybe I'll give it a try when I have my birthday, they can't deny me then!

That's awesome that your family let you make stuff for Christmas dinner! I got the chance to make a bean stew and grilled eggplant (I made 3 eggplants and it was all gone!) It's easy to make the dessert too, especially when you make it full of chocolate and really fatty!

I agree with the insanity of $5 salads. It seems to be like that everywhere. I think in the Kinesiology complex, they have VEGGIES, like raw carrots, celery and broccoli for about $3.50. Ridiculous.

I had a dream about the pita place, and that they gave me the lentil soup, but I started eating it, and there was beef chunks in it! I was so horrified. I have no idea why on earth I would dream something so random.

I had a dream about the pita place, and that they gave me the lentil soup, but I started eating it, and there was beef chunks in it! I was so horrified. I have no idea why on earth I would dream something so random.


The first time I bought it, I took it to Science B, and sat down in a study carousel to eat it while studying. I took a bite and thought I had a mouthful of animal meat. I didn't have time to go back there, so I just threw it out.

I asked the next day, and they said the soup is completely vegan, with lentils,barley, some veggies and spices... It was the barley that freaked me out.


I graduated about 4 years ago, so I don't know what else there is right now, except for other things at the pita place, like the hummus and pita, or tabouli.

There are a few places you can get fruit or veggies, although the cut up veggies always have a side of ranch dip, so you wouldn't want to eat that.
They are also expensive.

I used to bring veggie cups of soup (the safeway brand has some vegan ones with couscous, lentil curries, black bean soup, etc. I think it's the enlighten label). Then I would just go to a coffee place and get some hot water to heat it up.

You really are better off packing a lunch if you can, or having pita stuff if you can't.

Oh, and the Starbucks in the bookstore sometimes has low fat brownies, which are usually vegan (according to the online ingredients). A brownie and a soy latte is not the healthiest lunch, but.... sometimes I would do it anyway.

I always pack my lunch, mostly because Mac Hall is so inconvenient and expensive, and fast food is just unappetizing.

Speaking of the low fat brownies, I hear they're vegan, but I've never been able to be sure. Where did you find the ingredients?

I have a friend who used to manage a Starbucks and she told me. I've also read that around the boards. To be sure, you could always just ask for the ingredients list when you go there.

Thanks for the suggestion! I ate the low fat brownie prior to becoming a vegan, and I really enjoyed it, so if it really is vegan, I would definitely get it again.

So for other discussions...

who else is enjoying this wonderfully cold weather (that is supposed to leave in the next week)?

I work at COP, and I had to work today, regardless of the fact that the wind chill was at -37... Poor kids almost froze their toes off!

Has anyone been to Planet Organic before? Are the prices there fairly reasonable?

Has anyone been to Planet Organic before? Are the prices there fairly reasonable?

I love Planet Organic!!!
It's expensive, but it's so nice to be in. I have fun just walking around in there.
I live nowhere near any of the ones in Calgary, so I only go once a year, but I find it much nicer and cleaner than Community Natural foods. They have really great prepared foods, like hummus, etc.

Basically, go check it out, but don't expect to fill your whole grocery list there without blowing a whole lot of $$$$!

Thanks for your response Synergy. I think I might check it out to see what kinds of products they have. I have been looking for some low carbohydrates and high in fiber pitas and bagels, but they are usually available through the US. So, I was hoping Planet Organic had something along those lines.

Does anyone happen to know if anywhere in Calgary sells La Tortilla or Joseph's Pita Breads?

Planet Organic is fantastic. I go every few weeks, because lots of stuff there is actually cheaper than it is than places like Superstore. Especially some things I love. It is true that most of it is more expensive, but most of it is stuff you won't fin anywhere else.

I don't think there's any La Tortilla or Joseph's Pita Bread in Calgary. We get all our pita straight from Byblos Bakery, where they sell the "misshapen" ones for 50 cents a bag. Super good deal!

If you're going to visit Planet Organic (Jasper and 122 Street) skip their overpriced vegetables and go down a block and a half to Good Earth Produce, in the bottom of the Pinnacle apartment building at Jasper Avenue and 121 Street.

I'm pretty sure I saw La Tortilla at Community Natural Foods. They sell some sort of organic, ridiculously priced Tortillas anyways.

Although I'd probably reconsider if I could get fresh Byblos pitas for 50 cents (lucky!), I always buy the Shamashne (or something like that... I can't recall the exact name) pitas. The sell those at Community too. They are a lot bigger then the Byblos ones and always way fresher.

I'm actually a fan of Community over Planet Organic. It's probably just me, but I sort of like the mild grubbiness the place has. Planet Organic seems a little sterile and corporate in comparison. Price wise, there is virtually no difference, so it really comes down to the fact that community is way closer to me. Oh and the bulk spices at Community rock!