veg fest 2012 by guest blogger… gizelle

I was scared away from VegFest by the threat of hail and rain storms….also by the mountains of laundry and household chores calling my name… okay, now I’m just making excuses.  I just didn’t go.  THEN I found a friend who did.  Full of envy, I asked if she would be my first ever guest blogger.  They enjoyed their lunch before taking pictures.  Dan would like to hang out with these two…instead of being hassled by me every time we eat out by me and my camera.

Without further ado, Gizelle McDennis shares her day (grrrr….that’s my residual jealousy) at Veg Fest in Bethlehem.

So, what to do on a Saturday morning before strong storms hit? My husband & I decided to take a drive to VegFest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and it was worth every mile and the cost of gas.

Recently my husband and I have adopted a lifestyle even a bit stricter than vegan or vegetarian. In addition to eating mostly fruits and vegetables, we have cut out all processed food, oil, sugar, salt and cut out all caffeine and alcohol. (coffee was always my main beverage but now I only drink water filtered decaf) Our hope for going to VegFest was to get ideas and see what additional options we had for eating.

As we began down the first side, the farmers market area, the first thing that caught my attention was Vegan Treats which was loaded with cookies, whoopee pies, cupcakes, brownies and much more all made vegan, some even gluten-free.

We continued through stands, loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables for sale and even breakfast and lunch of a granola mixture in a tube; we had decided to scope it all out and then decide on purchases.   The sprouted bread bakers caught our eyes with their a variety raisin, multigrain, wheat and white.

In addition to all the food, there was an area dedicated to our 4 legged friends, including pot-bellied pigs and horses, with adoption and rescue information and helping no-kill shelters. Then there were jewelry and accessory venders selling items that were vegan friendly; of course, there was also a bike stand for getting around without polluting our earth.

Cooking demonstrations were held in the food court area featuring a bit of everything from wood-fired pizzas, hemp hard or soft pretzels, bean burritos, bean burgers, veggie dogs, cinnamon buns, wine and fruit ice pops.

So, what did we get as our meal?  Black bean sliders with beans and rice, a hemp soft pretzel (with no salt of course) and my dessert of a vegan cannoli (to die for). We brought home fruits and vegetables, a loaf of the multi-grain sprouted bread and a vegan peanut butter cookie.

What to know if you plan to go next year.  I recommend taking a reusable bag or two for purchases, although we picked up some free bags, quarters in case you decide to park at a meter, and if you plan on bringing kids have no fear there were lots of kids activities, and if your husband isn’t into vegan/vegetarian he can indulge in the beer garden.

Thanks! Gizelle McDennis