Pond-Side Veggin’ + Meatless Mainers Meetup Event + Recipes!

Okay, so let’s review – at this point our weekend in Maine has covered a snack at Silly’s, dinner at Taste of Eden, an amazing green smoothie, a late brunch at Little Lad’s, a scenic drive to Bar Harbor, dinner at Eden Vegetarian Cafe, a quick bite at Local Sprouts, an interview with Chef Chris McClay, a stroll around the Farmers Market, and lunch at Green Elephant. And that was just 2 days worth! Phew!!

At this point we’re full (thanks to Green Elephant) and feeling a little sleepy. We had a few hours of free time before making our way to Brunswick, ME for the Meatless Mainers Meetup so we went back to Deering Oaks Park, sprawled out a blanket, and took a nap by the pond.

ZzzZZzzz

After a couple of hours of veggin’ out in what surely was the best weather ever, we hopped back in the car and headed to THE Whole Foods of Portland. Aside from Green Elephant, a bunch of people said that we MUST see the Whole Foods here. Apparently it was in a different class than all of the other Whole Foods stores. Honestly, I didn’t look around much but noticed that they did have a very nice seated dining area. And the store itself was pretty ginormous.

We picked up our goodies for the meetup, and headed to Brunswick – which was about 30 minutes away.

In what seemed like no time we arrived at Dan’s house, checked in with Sarah (the group’s founder and organizer), unloaded our goodies, and started chatting with the first handful of people who were already there.

Then, we ate!!!! It was potluck-style, so you KNOW the food was awesome. Check it out (photos courtesy of Sarah – Meatless Mainers founder and organizer):

Yes. Ooooh yes, those are whoopie pies. ;)

After we filled up, Sarah asked us to say a few words about the trip – how it got started, why we’re doin’ it, where we’re goin’, etc. etc. There we are. Weeee!!

And after we talked to the group for a few minutes, we got some volunteers to chat with us (on camera!) about why they became veg and what they like about the meetup group. BUUUUT, before we dive into those interviews, I thought you might like a recipe or two *wink wink* … so Sarah kindly provided us with some of the recipes of the delicious food we had on this day.

You’re welcome. ;)

BLUEBERRY FARRO SALAD
*Recipe from Tom Rocket, Green Fields Market

Ingredients:

1 cup farro (wheat berries)
2 cups blueberries
1 cup diced celery
5 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon coriander
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshley ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Rinse farro and put into a pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until soft, about 40 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water.
2. Combine blueberries, celery, green onions, onion, pepper and sunflower seeds in a large blow. Add farro.
3. Combine vinegar, oil, cumin, coriander and maple syrup in a small bowl; whisk until combined. Drizzle over farro mixture. Toss gently. Add salt and pepper and toss again. Serves 6.

[SIDE NOTE: while there is only one recipe listed right now we anticipate getting a few more in over the week, so we’ll be updating this post again soon!]

Now, on to the interviews. I think you’ll really like these.

We captured a wide variety of vegans in this series: from kids to adults, a massage therapist, those trying to treat illness, those fighting for the animals, and a few things in between. And we asked everyone 1) how long have you been vegan? 2) what inspired you to become vegan? 3) what’s the best part about coming to the Meatless Mainers Meetups?

Let us know if you like the questions, or would like us to ask other questions, etc. because we want to make sure you like watching these vids just as much as we like making them!

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Then we had to move inside because a) it was getting too dark out, and b) the battery on the camera ran out. So the next series was shot using my iphone. Pretty amazing if you ask me!

We hope you enjoyed this post! Please let us know what we can do to improve the interviews/video as we continue on this epic journey.

xo
Kristin & Ethan