Posts Tagged ‘Green Dinner Table’

7 of the best vegan finds from the Vegan Expo

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

Some people like the cooking demos, talks, information stalls, but we’ll be honest; We were there for the food. We arrived with an empty tummy and a fist full of cash, we left with an stuffed tum and an empty wallet. Tom’s wife calls it her “Black Friday.”

We scoped out the best of the best this year for this month’s blog and we’ll tell you where you can get some of these noms, even if you missed the expo.

1. Kimchi grilled cheese from Green Dinner Table

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpdmZsvAbUZ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

This was one serious sandwich! Delicious house made kimchi with Angel Foods cheese in a perfectly grilled sandwich. Served with a generous helping of GDT’s special rum and coke BBQ sauce. People were asking us to bottle it up and sell it. For now, we’re keeping these drool-worthy items for our subscribers as part of our weekly delivery.

We could go on and on about how it was the best thing at the Expo (according to a few others on Instagram!) but we’ll quickly move on.

2. Passionfruit Custard Square from No Bulls Pies



Conveniently located right beside the GDT booth. One bite was like heaven. Creamy yumminess between perfect pastry, topped with sugary sweet passionfruit. The only downside is that we don’t know where we can get more! We didn’t find a business listing for No Bulls Pies. If anyone has a lead let us know …

3. Rosé from Brod Kvas

Brod Kvas rose

Brod Kvas rose

Kumbucha and kefir move over because Brod Kvas is dairy-free and has no slimey scoby. Plus the manly marketing makes us feel like we can bring it to a BBQ instead of beers and get away with it. These delicious, naturally fermented beverages are inspired by thousands of years of tradition. We snapped up a few big bottles.

4. Valsoia hazelnut spread from Nuovo Pantry

AKA nutella! YESSS! Our childhood memories no longer need to be a thing of the past! We’ve tried other vegan ‘nutellas’ but this one tastes just as delicious as the original (must be because it’s Italian 😉 ). Nuovo Pantry also has some fancy ice creams by Valsoia like cornettos and ice cream sandwiches. Buon appetito!

5. Literally anything from Grater Goods

Did you check out the grazing plate at the Grater Goods stall? It was chocka with delicious vegan cheeses, deli meats and the Blu butter? Simply divine! We wanted to buy it all, but like the gracious hosts they are, they made sure there was plenty to sample, so we have no choice but to visit their deli and stock up.

 

6. Plant Powered Dip by Black Doris


We loved Black Doris range. Talk about yum. It was hard to choose just one, so we bought everything but the mayo (Tom did just make a huge batch at the cooking demo!) The Plant Powered Dip was perfect as a little ‘alfredo’ sauce on a quick toddler pasta later that night.

7. Chocolate cheesecake from Moa Bakery

We’re usually more into the savoury, but these cheesecakes were worth raving over. Hard to believe that in addition to being vegan, they were also gluten and sugar free! Sensitive tummies rejoice! We’re glad we got them in our gob because they are from Moa Bakery hails from Oamaru. So next time you’re over that way, try one!

Missed out on all the fun? Check out the hosts of the Expo, the Christchurch Vegan Society to find out about next year’s event.

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Save your money. Subscribe to Green Dinner Table

Thursday, October 4th, 2018

To understand more about how our food purchases affect our financial health, we sat down with customer George Bayley, General Manager of enableMe Canterbury. Bayley shared his thoughts on why a service like Green Dinner Table can help families save money.

George Bayley

“For families that want to stay on track financially, meal planning is a necessity,” said George Bayley. “That’s because all the little ‘emergency’ trips to the supermarket and takeaways really add up. You’re less tempted when you know what’s for dinner.”

He challenged us to crunch the numbers. So we did.

We compared how much it would cost to buy all the ingredients to make the meals in our Five Night Family Plan at the supermarket.

 

Supermarket Price Green Dinner Table’s Five Night Family Plan
Organic beetroot, tabouleh and orange with fresh turmeric tahini and dukkah $33.40 –
GDT bibimbap $33.66
Roast ratatouille with preserved lemon and organic quinoa $45.40
Tempeh bánh mì with sriracha pâté and pickled vegetables $43.80
Cauliflower steaks with garlic lentils, baby kale and herb yoghurt $29.20
TOTAL $185.46 $159

* Items were predominantly priced using Countdown’s online store. For ingredients, that are larger than the amount supplied by Green Dinner Table (like yoghurt), we used the 100g price. Keep in mind if you bought these items from a supermarket, you would have to purchase the full item.

Other ways you save

It’s not just the price-per-price comparison that saves you money. Once you factor in leftovers for lunches and the reduced temptation to get takeaways, your savings can increase exponentially.

The cost of groceries for a two parent household with two children is on average over $330+ per week. And this doesn’t account for money spent at restaurants, cafes or bars. In fact, Kiwis are spending more of their food budget on takeaways and fast food.

In New Zealand, we spend more than a quarter of our food-spending on restaurant and ready-to-eat foods. So, if you’re earning the average wage of $49,000, you could be spending $140 a week on takeaways or other restaurant meals. Lunches alone could run you between $30 to $50 a week.

“We love that we can help people stay on track financially,” said Cole Stacey, co-director. “It just goes to show that you don’t need to break the piggy bank to eat well.”

Spend more time doing what matters

In New Zealand, we spend nearly five and a half hours a week doing the household shopping (according to OECD figures). Then we need to add in the time it takes to plan what to eat and the time it takes to make it.

Research shows that the more time you spend preparing food, the better your diet (i.e., you eat more vegetables, salads, and fruits). Whereas spending less than an hour a day on food prep was associated with more money wasted on takeaways and fast food.

Sure you can get meal plans online and they can help save time, but they can be upwards of $100 per week and only get part of the job done. With Green Dinner Table, you get everything you need, so you can spend less time planning and prepping meals, and more time doing what you love – without compromising your health.

Think about all the things you’d have time for if you weren’t spending the time on planning healthy meals or stressing about them. An extra hour for the gym, to play with your kids in the park, to join friends for drinks … whatever you love to do, you’ll have more time for it.

Make meal times less stressful

Imagine never having to face the dreaded, ‘What’s for dinner?’ conversation again. After a long day of work or watching the children, the last thing most of us want to do is come up with a healthy, delicious meal.

“My favourite thing is that I come home, look at the fridge, and I know what we’re having for dinner,” said Tom Riley, co-director. “Plus, we have everything we need to make it.”

The clear, step-by-step instructions are designed to make it easy for anyone to get out the chopping board and get started. A few of our clients have told us that thanks to Green Dinner Table’s recipes, they (or their partner – and in some cases, even their children) are more comfortable in the kitchen. This can mean that more people are helping with dinnertime.

Don’t forget the yum factor

It’s easy to build confidence in the kitchen when your meals are delicious!

“We never expect you to compromise on taste for a plant-based meal,” said Tom. “Can you afford not to? Give us a try and see for yourself.”

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Healthy Eating from Day One

Thursday, August 30th, 2018

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With Baby # 2 approaching 6 months old, Tom can’t wait to start introducing food. When his daughter Violet (Baby # 1) started weaning, we enthusiastically started puréeing kumaras, pumpkins, lentils, apples, but quickly gave up.

It wasn’t our style. And more importantly, it wasn’t our daughter’s style either. She always wanted to feed herself. Thinking back to how important family mealtimes were growing up, we wanted our children to think of food as fun, which is why we eventually looked into baby-led weaning.

What is baby-led weaning?

Central to baby-led weaning is the idea that babies share family food and mealtimes. Parents introduce hand-held foods and encourage your baby to feed themselves instead of being spoon-fed. Food is given as a complement to breast milk (or formula) which is offered on demand, until they self-wean. There’s no need to worry about underfeeding, because baby eats what it wants, and has breast milk as its main food source (until weaned, of course!).

Just by tweaking the way food is served, it was easy for us to offer things that were already part of the family meal. Violet was so proficient at munching hard foods and her fine motor skills developed really quickly. She could even pick up a piece of rice between her wee fingers! Before we knew it, she was eating a typical Kiwi breakfast of Marmite toast soldiers (thin strips) or Wheat-bix and feijoas. Now (if she’s hungry and with a bit of encouragement), she dives right into her Green Dinner Table meals.

Easy Modifications

It’s easy to make adjustments. If you’re serving up the Thai Pumpkin Soup, hold back some butternut squash pieces once it’s roasted so baby can munch on that. Here are some ideas of how to slightly modify food so that it’s baby-friendly:

Broccoli

  • Instead of puréed or mashed, serve it as a floret-sized piece, large enough for the infant to hold with some protruding from the fist. Steamed to a soft consistency.

Banana

  • Instead of puréed or mashed, peel the top section and serve it with the skin left on the bottom section of the banana (this gives baby something to grip).

Pasta

  • Instead of puréed with vegetables, serve large pieces such as fusilli (spirals) or penne.

Choking vs. Gagging

Even though we enjoyed the experience with our daughter Violet, some of our family members expressed concern about the risk of choking, including Tom’s Mum who (like many Mums of that generation) were told that purées were the way to go.

Back then, weaning often happened earlier (at about 4 months) and babies weren’t as physically capable as they are at 6 months. It’s key to wait for baby to be able to:

  • Sit up
  • Scoop, hold and bring food to the mouth, and
  • Show an interest in eating.

Keep in mind too that the gag reflex moves down from mid-mouth to the throat over time (and this is protective). So it’s normal for your child to gag, and gagging is not choking. It’s important to know the difference.

Iron Intake

From a nutritional point of view, one of the main other concerns for all infants is adequate iron intake. That’s because for the first 6 months exclusively breastfed babies do not get iron from their diet. This is why groups like Plunket do not recommend feeding infants milk until after 1 year of age. Dairy makes it difficult for the body to absorb iron. We found it easy to add iron rich foods to Violet’s diet. We offered:

  • whole grain bread
  • rice
  • pulses like peas (still a favourite)
  • beans and lentils
  • nut butters and seeds
  • green leafy vegetables (still working on that!)
  • tofu and tempeh (which Violet calls ‘tempey’).

Add a food rich in vitamin C (like tomatoes), to make it even more likely that the iron will be absorbed.

 

Weaning your baby should be fun!

Our relationship with food is so important, and while it can be a challenge at times, setting up a healthy relationship with food from the very beginning sets us up for a healthy future. It won’t be long until we get little Oscar (Baby # 2) eating Green Dinner Table with us. And on that note, we’re off to set up the high chair!

For more great ideas about what to serve and everything you need to know about vegan weaning (it’s 140 pages!), check out the Eating Well: Vegan Infants and Under 5s Guide published by the First Steps Nutrition Trust.

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Who’s Eating Green Dinner Table?

Wednesday, August 1st, 2018

Sofia is certain that a vegan diet helps her deliver parcels week after week in rain, hail or sunshine.

She knows how important it is to effectively fuel her body, especially since she is cycling well over a hundred kilometres every day on the job! We asked how a vegan diet works with such a physically demanding role, and she told us, “Some people think vegan means not enough energy, without Green Dinner Table I would have struggled.”

Being so active, it is important that Sofia maintains her energy all day, every day.

Sophia’s energy levels while eating Green Dinner Table meals are high as ever, without the feeling of being ‘weighed-down’. “My energy levels are really good. I am always high energy. It is nice in the evening to feel full, but not heavy. If I do have leftovers for lunch I can eat and get straight back on my bike.”

Sofia has been eating a vegan diet exclusively for over six months after making a conscious effort to cut meat and dairy products from her diet. “I started watching documentaries about the meat industry” she said.

Formerly a chef, Sofia is continuing to learn more about the vegan diet and lifestyle.

Subscribing to Green Dinner Table has positively changed her outlook on how food can be interesting, even with a plant-based diet. “A friend suggested Green Dinner Table and I signed up the day after that. It is a lifesaver. I used to be vegetarian– and I just ate without meat. Now, each night is a little cooking class. I can struggle at lunch trying to find vegan options. Without Green Dinner Table, dinner would be the same.

Sofia entertains friends and family who start out sceptical about eating vegan.

However, the tasty and varied plant-based meals that Sofia creates with Green Dinner Table have changed their outlook entirely. Sofia’s Dad, who used to make fun of her diet, now uses the Green Dinner Table website for recipe ideas, and her flatmate – who used to eat KFC three or four times a week – is now almost entirely vegan!

Ask Sofia the best thing about Green Dinner Table and she says,

“Variety! Green Dinner Table comes up with so many new things. I would otherwise be stuck in a rut. I’m impressed that it’s so good.”

Sofia is keen to spread the word about Green Dinner Table so that others can benefit from a healthy (and easy) plant-based diet.

“I offered to put a sticker on the back of my courier bag, ‘Powered by Green Dinner Table.”

And her favourite Green Dinner Table meal? “I really like the Mexican dishes, but I love the massaman curry!”

Sofia established Geronimo Messengers in 2016, delivering a wide range of parcels across Christchurch City by bicycle. She saw the opportunity to introduce a clean, green alternative for delivering goods within the city, while at the same time avoiding the traffic delays that have been accentuated by earthquake and remediation work around the city – and the new 30 km/h speed limit for vehicles within the CBD.

Geronimo Messengers delivers throughout the Christchurch CBD, Riccarton and Sydenham (check out the service area map here), carrying anything up to 6 kilograms, from lunch to car parts! Photo courtesy of Underground Coffee, one of her customers – their beans are now delivered by pedal power.

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Vegan Snacks: Healthy Options for Eating on the Go

Wednesday, April 18th, 2018

Healthy snacking can be a struggle regardless of your diet

Hence the booming market in chips, chocolate and ‘healthier’ alternatives, like muesli bars. When hunger strikes or your energy wains and you’re far from your kitchen, it’s incredibly tempting to reach for the nearest snack – and for those cutting out or cutting back on animal products, that makes this the hardest time to avoid the temptation, whether it’s healthy or not!

A quick search of the internet reveals lots of ‘accidentally vegan’ products (mainstream products that just happen to be vegan). If they’re highly processed and/or contain a heap of sugar or salt, however, they’re certainly not healthy. So, rather than stocking up on Oreos (which, yes are technically vegan), here are some healthy snack choices.

Fresh fruit

Yes, we’re starting with the obvious. When it comes to portability and convenience, it doesn’t get any easier than nature’s own pre-wrapped snack: a banana, or an orange, berries, or whatever is in season.

  • Pro tip: Top fruit with nut butter – up the ante on fresh fruit by adding nut butter and you’ll also be getting a dose of protein with your fibre. Haven’t tried it? You’re missing out. Slice up an apple and spread with peanut butter (or almond or cashew butter). Go wild and try it with veggies like celery!

Raw veggies and hummus

Also known as crudités, pieces of raw vegetables dipped in a sauce are a traditional French appetizer. Try carrot, celery or cucumber sticks, or get creative with slices of capsicum, radish, cauliflower or broccoli. Also try switching out hummus with guacamole.

Vegan yoghurt

With so many varieties of coconut and soy yoghurt available, this is a great option for satisfying those cravings for sweetness. Fruit flavours and even cacao (chocolate) blends are on offer or mix things up by adding a few nuts for a bit of crunch.

  • Pro tip: Mix it up by adding granola or Wheatbix to your yoghurt. You can top with roasted nuts or seeds and fresh or dried fruit.

Protein or bliss balls

Increasingly popular, you’ll often find a version of these in café cabinets or pre-packaged at supermarkets or health-food shops, or you can make your own. Check that they are vegan, of course, but most use some combination of dates, nuts and coconut for plant-based energy.

Smoothies

Combining plant-based milk and even plant-based yoghurt with various combinations of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, the possibilities are almost endless! Just look to Instagram for inspiration.

Chia pudding

Like overnight oats, simply soak chia seeds with any plant-based milk overnight in the fridge. You can also add a sweetener like maple syrup if you’re so inclined. In the morning add fresh fruit and voilà! A quick, easy and super filling snack.

Nuts

A super-easy option for snacking on the run, they’re also packed with protein and, depending on the variety, other essential vitamins, minerals and beneficial fatty acids too. They’re also filling, so just a few will keep you going. For maximum health benefits, skip the salted varieties and go for raw nuts instead.

Crackers

(Yes, you read that correctly) several varieties in NZ supermarkets are vegan. Ingredient lists do change, so check before you buy, but Ryvita, Vitawheat Original, Original Meal Mates and Huntley & Palmers Sesameal are options to try. Top with tomato, avocado or nut butter for a flavour boost.

Popcorn

Surprisingly, even ‘butter’ flavours of pre-packaged popcorn are often without dairy! Of course, this doesn’t necessarily make them healthy, so popping your own is best – but Serious Popcorn or New Zealand Kettle Korn are good options if you need it NOW!

Roasted chickpeas

Did you know that when roasted, these magical little legumes turn into a crunchy savoury snack? Make your own at home, adding the flavour of your choice (there are lots of ideas on the internet), and store in an airtight container for on-the-go snacking. P.S. Kids love them!

  • Pro tip: Keep the liquid from the can of chickpeas for baking. Google “aquafaba.” You’ll thank us later …

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The best vegan (and vegan-friendly) restaurants in Christchurch

Friday, February 9th, 2018

Portershed

(322 Lincoln Road, 021 258 3525)

This vegan café quickly gained a loyal following after winning the regional People’s Choice award in the 2018 Meadow Fresh New Zealand Café of the Year awards. A lovely twist of irony given Meadow Fresh is a dairy company! Go for classic Kiwi café favourites like custard squares, sausage rolls and mac ‘n’ cheese – all made vegan.

The Origin

(95 Westminster Street, 03 355 5939)

Contemporary, creative plant-based dishes match the modern, light-filled fit-out in this popular suburban café. Also known for exquisite desserts and cakes, and boutique coffee and tea brews (all the teas are 100% New Zealand grown and organic) – check out the Steam Punk brewing machine!

Town Tonic

(335 Lincoln Road, 03 338 1150)

A smart, contemporary restaurant, Town Tonic is renowned for its innovative cuisine made from fresh, local produce, and includes a special menu just for vegans. The ‘Honest Menu’ features an exciting array of plant-based tasting plates that will thrill taste-buds and dispel any notions that vegan food can’t be interesting!

The Lotus-Heart

(363 St Asaph Street, 03 377 2727)

A vegan-friendly vegetarian restaurant operated by students of Sri Chinmoy, it’s part of a centre that also includes health, gift and world music shops, as well as being a venue for meditation workshops, so you can expect a peaceful atmosphere that exudes well-being. The food is prepared from locally grown and organic ingredients where possible, using plant-based cheese and milks, so there are plenty of vegan possibilities, as well as gluten-free and raw food options.

Gatherings

(Unit 5/ 2 Papanui Road, 021 0293 5641)

Award-winning vegetarian restaurant and ‘living wine’ bar taking the concept of ‘pop-up’ dining and putting it in a more permanent setting. A daily tasting menu is designed around regional and seasonal produce, with vegan options, and the restaurant is committed to sustainability including the use of ‘living wine’, made without chemicals and with minimal technological intervention.

Antidote

(Shop 6, Carnaby Lane, New Brighton, 03 595 2126)

Antidote is a ‘juice bar’ that also serves salads, breakfasts, lunches and desserts. This vegan café is tucked away, but worth seeking out for its fresh and healthy cuisine (and amazing smoothies!). Dedicated to making the world a better place, Antidote serves mostly raw and organic foods, all in a relaxed setting.

The Shroom Room

(48 London Street, Lyttelton, 03 328 9459)

Iconic vegetarian café offering a laid-back, alternative atmosphere perfectly in keeping with its portside location. The outdoor terrace is ideal for enjoying the local vibe on fine days. Their menu is packed with plenty of vegan options. Generous portions and hearty fare are the order of the day – think burgers, pancakes and thick-shakes – served up alongside a funky soundtrack.

Raw Sugar

(73 Manchester Street, 03 365 3333)

This cool inner-city café is officially vegetarian but wins praise for its extensive vegan menu, including an option for vegan Eggs Benedict. Beautiful presentation and great coffee are sure to make this one a new favourite.

Dream Garden Vegetarian Café & Restaurant

(62 Kendal Avenue, 03 358 8485)

A suburban location and casual atmosphere makes visiting Dream Garden easy (it’s near the airport, if you’re wondering). The menu of Chinese cuisine is probably more vegan than vegetarian – and staff are happy to modify the vegetarian dishes for vegan diners. A wide range of meat substitute dishes is on offer here too.

Chanakya South Indian Cuisine

(Shop 5, Surfside Mall, 68 Hawke Street, New Brighton, 03 388 7049)

This hidden-away gem serves lots of vegan options, all of which are specified on the menu. Named for a renowned philosopher and economist of ancient India, this spot is a wise choice for high-quality cuisine. We at Green Dinner Table recommend the Masala Dosa and the Eggplant Salaan!

Thai Container

(151 Bealey Avenue, 021 139 4881)

Thai Box

(270 St Asaph Street, 021 842 429)

Thai Container is a hugely popular food truck on Bealey Ave. It now has a sister restaurant, Thai Box in more permanent digs. Go to either outlet for awesome, cheap takeaways. Or, dine in the cool surrounds of Thai Box. Pretty much anything on the menu is available in a vegan option and the super-friendly staff are very accommodating.

Call ahead

In addition to these vegan and vegan-friendly cafés and restaurants, more and more eateries around Christchurch are including vegan dishes on their menus. Plus, many or are willing to modify dishes to suit. If in doubt, call ahead and ask about vegan options. You might find that the chef is willing to create something special just for you!

Awesome food in your own kitchen

And if the decision gets too hard, cooking at home is always an easy option – especially if you’re a lucky Christchurch local getting your weekly menu delivered by Green Dinner Table!

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