Gift cards are *so* in right now! Need we say more? ...and that's why we here at Bucks County Vegan wanted to put together a one-stop shop for a gift-card shopping spree.

​Buying gift cards is a way to support local business right now without having to leave home, a fun activity (think inbox candy for future use!:) and a way to get way ahead of holiday or birthday shopping! Think of the amazing, kind gestures you can make by giving gift cards right now and in the near future! Give the gift of delicious plant-based foods.
​

Outside of Bucks

From super nutritious smoothies to *perfect* crispy fried tofu, raw beet colored icing, pizza and more, Lots of Yums has shared some of the most eloquently made, delicious looking food we've ever seen.. yet you may not have yet heard about this account.

That's because this chef is not only uber-talented but also super humble. After seeing all the delicious (literally Lots of Yums) on this account, we wanted to learn more.. so we reached out and recently spoke with Aleks, seriously talented recipe creator, chef and cofounder of Lots of Yums to learn more. 

One of the first things we learned is that this chef knows vegan food because she eats vegan food. Not only does chef Aleks know how to cook a top-notch dish, but she also very much loves to promote the many benefits of being vegan or adding more plant-based meals into your diet. 

Read our interview with Chef Aleks below:

​BCV: Can you tell us more about Lots of Yums, yourself and your fellow co-founder?

Chef Aleks: Hey hey, so my name is Aleks and I’ve been vegan for a few years and I started this Instagram because my best friend Brie and I cook every together every week (we’ve since then pulled more friends into it) and we always make such delicious vegan dishes and treats. I have kinda forced her along on this [Instagram] ride (she doesn’t post much on the feed/story) but she is such a huge inspiration for me, and a big push for me starting @lotsofyums. She has introduced me to new foods/cuisines and we both are very open minded when it comes to food (very few things either of us dislike), so it’s been such a fun journey trying out vegan dishes with her.

BCV: What are some of your personal favorite vegan foods?

Chef Aleks: Tacos are by far my favorite food because of their versatility — You can throw in any “base” you want, whether that be sweet potato black bean, crispy tofu, buffalo cauliflower, mushroom, fajita veggies. Next, you put on toppings: pickled red onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, guac, radishes. Then, add the sauce (and a lot of it): chipotle aioli, maple sriracha, avocado crema, chimichurri, sweet sour, pesto, “buttermilk” ranch. Gossshhh the possibilities for tacos are ENDLESS!

BCV: That sounds delicious! We think everybody should try that. ;)

BCV: How would you describe your cuisine? 

Chef Aleks: Gosh, my cuisine is RANDOM! Onions and garlic are the start to every meal, I definitely have a Latin-inspired flair (mainly Tex-Mex & Guatemalan) along with a few Asian (mainly Korean & Thai) dishes here and there. I gravitate toward feel good food, whether that be typical comfort food like mac & cheese or a kale salad with a bomb dressing. Anything that makes the soul feel good works for me.

BCV: We can Really appreciate that! We believe that everyone can benefit from a plant-based diet but that there is not just one mix for everyone! It's great to vary cuisine up as there is something everyone can enjoy we say. We have benefitted from both your treat recipes and your savory and more raw whole foods bowls recipes and ideas so much.

BCV: What pantry items would you recommend someone pick up when they are starting out with cooking vegan (allergies permitting etc. of course)

Chef Aleks: Pantry (sometimes refrigerated) essentials definitely include tofu, canned/dried beans (black, kidney, lentils, garbanzo/chickpea), pastas, tortillas (because who doesn’t love tacos?!), nuts, dried fruits, nutritional yeast, curry paste, rice noodles, vegan mayo, plant-based milks and PEANUT BUTTER (or any nut butter for that matter).

BCV: Ok, that just about covers all of our most favorite foods ever. What a phenomenal pantry that would be for anyone starting out. Yum! Thank you for this awesome list. We love it.. and are now hungry. :)

BCV: What are some of the foods you would recommend someone start with if they are just starting out with adding more vegan meals into their diet? 

Chef Aleks: I would say take your favorite meal and make it vegan. Before I started experimenting with fun plant-based dishes I just took what I knew and substituted the butter, cheese, meat for a vegan version. For example, if your favorite thing to eat is a BLT sandwich, make sure you buy vegan bread and vegan mayo, load on the lettuce and tomato, and make some mushroom or rice paper bacon! @edgyveg has an awesome rice paper bacon and @hotforfood has great mushroom bacon in her cookbook. The possibilities are endless with vegan food but it’s definitely overwhelming in the beginning, so stick to what you know and you’ll be happy. Unless your palate is ridiculously diverse and you’re very open-minded, I would shy away from trying foods that practically sound foreign, because chances are you won’t like it and then you’ll be discouraged in the future. Your taste buds will do a bit of adjusting over time, so maybe that recipe is something you can try down the road.

BCV: That's some Great advice! ..and we meant to add / ask you about that! You're always recommending such amazing fellow recipe creators and chefs! You are not at all closed off to your own Instagram account which we find so refreshingly unique and Helpful! You can tell you just really want all your viewers to have the best possible recipes and tools they can possibly have. You are truly an amazing chef, helper and educator. We just want to thank you so much for that! We've not only learned so much from your recipes and account but also from your expert recommendations!

BCV: What projects are you currently working on? We'd love to help get the word out about it.

Chef Aleks: I’m currently taking a step back from a few of my extra-curriculars to focus on what I love most: creating magic in the kitchen. I have thoughts about a cookbook brewing, so I would say creating recipes and connecting with the Instagram community right now is my main goal.

BCV: Ok, now that's super exciting. We'll keep our eyes open for that. That would be our dream Cookbook for sure. The way you mix and match and keep things exciting in the kitchen is so unique and like no other we've seen.

What are some easy swap outs for not-yet-veganized recipes that you love & recommend?

Chef Aleks:

Ok I’ll go with a few easy swap outs..
Cream cheese: Miyokos cream cheese (wholesome organic ingredients)
Butter: Miyokos butter (wholesome organic ingredients)
Mozzarella: @schoolnightvegan mozzarella (10 minute prep)
Mayo: Sir Kensington’s Fabaneise
Egg: 1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water
Whipped cream: Coconut cream from a can whipped with some lemon juice and sugar
Burger: Beyond burger or homemade veg burger
Cream: soaked cashews + water (make it sweet with some vanilla + dates/maple syrup; make it savory with lemon juice + garlic + salt)
Milk: plant-based milk!! All work for different purposes! Coconut, almond, oat, hemp, walnut, cashew, soy, etc.

BCV: Ok, these are GOLDEN! When we interviewed you we didn't realize we were going to even get more than we bargained for and a great educational chart pretty much. We should have known. :) Keep this on hand, readers! (sunglass emoji!)

BCV: Ok, one last question! Favorite dishes for a party? 

Chef Aleks: @hotforfood has awesome party dishes! Specifically the jalapeno poppers, yum. @itslivb also has some quick easy recipes, perfect for parties. I'm a huge fan of dips, like spinach & artichoke dip, rutabaga fondue (inspired by Vedge in philly), @edgyveg buffalo dip, stuffed mushrooms, empanadas, taquitos.

BCV: You have REALLY done the work trying and testing these recipes to all of our benefit. Thank you So much for the recommendations here. It has been way too long since we've had good jalapeno poppers!

BCV: Anything else you'd like to share?

Chef Aleks: Ask questions!! If you ever need to know anything, every vegan I’ve ever met has been so open to conversation and willing to share their advice based on their personal experiences and it is SO HELPFUL if you're just starting out or even if you've been a vegan for 10 years.

​"I am such an open book and will give you honest reviews on vegan food brands I've tried, accounts to follow, recipes to modify, all of it! If you’re thinking about becoming vegan, do some research! Figure out your WHY. Once you identify your why, the food part becomes easy. Your why will just keep you going and encourage you. Once you become vegan, it’s 100% about the animals. No flavor or taste in your mouth will ever trump the value of an animal’s life. Remember that just because we grew up a certain way, doesn’t make it right <3"

BCV: We couldn't agree more. Thank you so much for doing this and sharing all that you share!

Follow Chef Aleks on Instagram

What if you could save time, money and get to know some of the coolest new (and old) vegan products simply by following a local Instagram account? Thanks to The Vegan Taste Tester, it's possible. Well, at least we can say we've definitely saved time and learned of quite a few new foods because of The Vegan Taste Tester. Thanks to this account, we've been able to skip aimless grocery trips and avoid the folly of picking up too many products in the same category at once on more than one occasion.

After months of enjoying her recipes, product reviews and more, we finally caught up with Lindsay, founder and creator of The Vegan Taste Tester to hear more. Check out our 20-ish questions with The Vegan Taste Tester below - favorite ice creams are mentioned - wink wink! (and give Lindsay a follow on Instagram. You won't be sorry you did.)

AN INTERVIEW WITH LINDSAY, FOUNDER OF THE VEGAN TASTE TESTER

How would you describe The Vegan Taste Tester?

​I describe the Vegan Taste Tester as a place people can go to get real and honest reviews and realistic recipes- I am sure some have noticed, I am not the most "professional" with my reviews. Nor do I review the healthiest of products. I want to show people that veganism has a wide range of things to eat from healthy to junk food and that it is fun as well. I have great range I think of ages that follow me- quite a bit of college students to older adults. A lot of my followers are also Philly based as well.

What made you want to get started when it comes to posting your reviews?

It was actually last year in January when the product "Just Egg" had recently came out, and I tried it. I was like, "People need to know how good this is." So, that is when I started The Vegan Taste Tester.

When did you get started / how long have you been doing this?

Fun fact is that I actually had a vegan Instagram in 2015-2016. I didn't post reviews though, just meal ideas and desserts I would make. I started The Vegan Taste Tester in January 2019. Over this past year or so I feel as though I have evolved in the products I review as well as now I post recipes and things to eat at restaurants.

Obviously Vegan Taste Tester posts reviews of vegan products specifically. Is there a turning point or event that made you want to consider switching your own purchases to vegan?

I wouldn't say there was a specific turning point in making the decision to switch all of my purchases over to vegan, but back in 2015 I used to watch vegan Youtubers like Kalel (not vegan anymore, but she was my favorite) and product reviews all the time. I have a chronic stomach condition and can't really eat any meat or dairy in general- so those videos would help me find things to eat. It all took off from there. And the most important thing to me was that I could be even one tiny part of stopping animal cruelty. 

What misconceptions or fears do you think people might have about trying some of these new foods? 

Simply, I think people believe vegan food will taste really bad. Yes, sometimes it could taste different than what especially non-vegans are used to- but a huge majority of the time it does not taste bad- or, it tastes pretty much exactly like the non-vegan version. Something that is "different" can make people skeptical as well.

How do you usually learn about a new product / how do you decide which new products to try? What is your process like? 

I tend to see on Instagram actually a bunch of new products. I love VegNews- great source for new products. I get so excited when I see something new come out, especially if it is from a brand I love. Basically, if I see a product I want to try, I do my best to find it. Usually, I find other products then that look very interesting too along the way.

What would be your advice for someone just starting out and trying to improve their shopping list to make their kitchen more vegan or vegan-friendly? 

I would tackle it step by step. Changing up your entire kitchen from non-vegan to fully vegan can be a bit of a shock to the system sometimes. Some people can handle it, but most can't, and that's fine. I would start off simply with milk. Get rid of all your cow's milk and switch to unsweetened soy for savory and oat or almond for sweet. I would also add on a vegan meat to try- I would start off with a Gardein chicken product. 

If you had to choose, what are the top products that you would recommend someone tries first when newly trying out vegan items at the grocery store? (of course allergies permitting etc!)

I would recommend a few staples- Gardein meatless products, Ben & Jerry's vegan ice cream, Impossible/Beyond Meat burgers, and Amy's frozen meals-the vegan ones. As well as non-dairy milk and yogurts. Kite Hill, So Delicious and Chobani make great ones. Honestly, starting off I wouldn't recommend cheese. Vegan cheese I find can be a bit of an acquired taste you have to accustom yourself to. If you want to try it, try making a grilled cheese with Chao cheese. I know these options are not the healthiest- but they'll show you vegan food can taste great. I also very much recommend experimenting with soups and smoothies. Pinterest has many great recipes.

What are some of your favorite restaurants in and around the Bucks County area?

I absolutely love Sprig & Vine in New Hope and Luhv Bistro in Hatboro. Harvest Season Bar and Grill in Newtown has some great vegan options. In terms of on the go I love a good rice and veggie bowl from Chipotle. Oishi in Newtown has great vegetable sushi.

What improvements have you seen in Bucks County Area grocery stores or restaurants in the last year if any?

I have seen many improvements. More and more restaurants are adding vegan options to their menus. Stores are getting tons more vegan food in their aisles. Sometimes you have to really look for it or even ask- but it's definitely getting there. Vegan food is becoming much more accessible. 

What improvements would you still like to see made in Bucks County area restaurants and stores? 

Everyone loves getting ice cream, especially in the summer. Unfortunately, myself and many others cannot partake because there are barely any vegan ice cream options. I would encourage each ice cream shop to add in at least one vegan flavor. It would do wonders, I promise.

We would imagine you get a lot of feedback and questions when it comes to the items you post. What is one of your favorite (or favorite kind of) question or piece of feedback that you've received? 

I love it when people ask me how I can use a certain product in a recipe, or when they suggest other products similar to it or from the same brand. I want people to ask me as many questions about vegan food as they want- I am always happy to help.

Do you like to meal plan or put together meals on the fly?

A bit of both. Honestly, most of the time I'll start out making something and then it turns into something completely different most of the time. I tend to mess up recipes a lot- but create something new. But there are plenty of posts on my Instagram where I followed an exact recipe. In terms of how I eat during the day, it's usually always on the fly. 

What are your personal favorite go-to resources or blogs etc and who are they helpful for? 

As I mentioned before, I think VegNews is great. Honestly, so many people that I follow are a great source for finding new products, reviews, and recipes. I will say, Bucks County Vegan has been a wonderful source for me! (BCV: Thank you!! We really appreciate this!)

What do you think is one of the main obstacles people face when making purchasing changes? is there any advice you can offer them based on your experience? 

The cost, for sure. It's just a fact that vegan food is overall more expensive. You'll see ice cream on my Instagram that costs 6 dollars a pint. When it comes to every day vegan shopping, go for the basics. Grains, lots of vegetables, pasta, fruit, tofu, etc...and sure, buy those things I suggest as well- but those aren't necessarily your every day items. I more so intend for my posts to be treats. But you can get so much flavor with simplicity as well. 

Are there any specific stores you would recommend on or offline to locals wanting to try more vegan foods? 

I love Organnons in Wrightstown. Also, of course, Trader Joes, Wegman's, and Whole Foods. But you would be surprised at how much you can find at Giant. There are tons of vegan options. I once went to the Giant in New Hope and found SO many vegan items. In terms of online, Thrive Market is a great site.

What positives have you personally experienced through this journey into trying all of these new foods / products? 

My eyes have been opened so wide to all of the options there are in terms of vegan food. One may think vegan food is limiting- but it is truly not. For every non-vegan thing you can't eat, there is a new vegan food you can. On this journey I have found so many new restaurants as well, especially in Philly. It really does change how you want to eat and amps up your creativity when cooking.

What grocery item or brand have you been most pleasantly surprised by lately?

I've been really pleased with Ben & Jerry's- they are creating more and more vegan ice cream flavors. I cannot wait to get my hands on the new flavors made with sunflower butter. Also Gardein- I know they're planning on launching more products and they have, I think the new breakfast bowls are delicious. In terms of a specific product, I just tried these bars from the Good Pop- they were cookies & cream flavor, and amazing.
​

Most know that when they consume a vegan meal they can help save the life of an animal and depending on the meal, also get lots of nutrients from plant sources and veggies. What many may not realize however is that there are often other less obvious benefits to the local economy and community when consumers support and encourage vegan businesses in their towns.

The benefits below are not all unique to vegan businesses only. However, many vegan businesses are uniquely committed to missions that lend themselves to these benefits. Let's take a look!

Reasons to Support Vegan & Very Vegan-Friendly Businesses in your Town

Reason 1 - Vegan businesses often fill hard-to-fill vacant spots.

Vegan businesses, while receiving more and more attention in the mainstream are still at this point 'niche businesses.' What does this mean for the towns and neighborhoods they reside within? It means that suddenly the area becomes a destination to visit for an all new demographic. People will often go out of their way and drive anywhere from 1-2 hours to frequent their favorite vegan or very vegan-friendly restaurant. This makes it possible for these kinds of restaurants to maintain a reasonable flow of traffic and maintain longevity (often in off-the-beaten path brick & mortar spots that would otherwise remain high-turnover or vacant due to lack of traffic and exposure). A great example of such a spot is the world famous Vegan Treats Bakery located on an inconspicuous side street in Bethlehem, PA. Bucks County itself also has several off-the-beaten path vegan-friendly restaurants that have celebrated anniversaries within their space that well outnumber the mainstream businesses that occupied the spot before them. Want to bring visitors into your town and receive a quick infusion into the local economy? Encourage a vegan business to open on your street or in your area.

Reason 2 - These businesses often have small, local business owners.

This one is somewhat obvious! While corporate chains make up a large portion of eatery options in the general sector, vegan businesses are often grass roots local operations. This means that a lot of what they do directly benefits the local community and economy. These are restaurants making your city, town, or county thrive even more! To check out a list of Bucks County's vegan and very vegan-friendly restaurants (most of which are locally and family-owned), check out our go-to favorites directory here. 

Reason 3 - Many vegan restaurants utilize and promote local, in-season produce.

Let's talk about local produce and local produce farmers. Many decades ago before mass long-distance transit of goods was widely available, local communities had expertise on how to make the best use out of the vegetables and grains that were grown in their area during the growing seasons. They knew what to buy and make when, what veggies to pair with other veggies, and how to make the most out of everything. In doing so, they also supported their own local economies and produce farmers by buying local. Today, we don't always buy local because we don't quite know what's fresh at the moment, where to get it, or how to use it! Many vegan and vegetarian restaurants (along with other specially focused restaurants), have a great penchant for helping us with that. Examples in Bucks? Sprig & Vine in New Hope often makes amazing use of local and seasonal produce on their menu often. They provide not only an amazing place to eat but also great culinary inspiration. Just outside of Bucks County we have Lady & the Shallot educating an entire area on how to stay full and healthy incorporating local veggies right from the Trenton Farmer's Market!

Reason 4 - Many vegan restaurant chefs are experts at helping and showing the community how to get more veggies in their diet (whether community members are vegan or not).

Vegetable eating is making quite the comeback. After decades of popularized processed foods and other non-vegetable rich meal trends, the 2000's brought us a resurgence in interest in healthy bodies and getting back to nature. Vegetables are an age old essential for staying healthy and getting your nutrients. The only trouble is, if you grew up knowing only how to cook corn, meat and potatoes, you may have some chef's block (like writer's block) when it comes to figuring out how to tastefully incorporate a larger variety of vegetables into your daily meals. Vegan restaurants are a shoo-in for helping entire towns out with this!  Not only can they help us get more vegetables through their often plant-rich menu items, they can also show us by example and inspire us as to how to do so at home. Many flavor combinations and proper spicing mixes to compliment veggies are observed via visits to vegan restaurants. Many of these restaurants employ plant-based chefs who are experts at these things. Some even offer cooking classes locally, many promoting and educating for healthier, more well-nourished communities. Right here in Bucks County for example, plant-based cooking classes are offered via Saucy's Kitchen and Dinner Service.

Whether you are vegan or simply can appreciate a vegan product or meal occasionally, you can help to infuse your local community with life, energy, and economic benefits when you support or encourage a local vegan or plant-based business. A thriving, healthy, and thoughtful local economy is a positive effect we can all love!

Is Thanksgiving possible without animal products? Absolutely! ..and this year a number of restaurants in and around Bucks County, Pennsylvania are proving it.  For the first time ever Bucks County has not only a few but a multitude of options to choose from when it comes to bringing ready-to-go plant-based items to your table this year.  Thank goodness for Thanksgiving 2019! In fact, everything sounds so delicious, you may have a hard time choosing!  For your convenience the restaurants below are offering awesome Thanksgiving items for pick-up:
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* Article header photo credit: www.forksoverknives.com 

Uno Pizzeria & Grill, known by some simply as Uno or Uno's is a national chain inspired by Chicago, a city known as the birth place of deep dish pizza.  This chain, whose salads for years even included meat and cheese now offers vegan (yes, fully plant-based or pure vegetarian - no animal product) options!

Last week (as of October 2019) the chain announced the new vegan options on their menu as a part of their 'Love All Feed All' initiative. ​"At Uno's everyone is special" the new menu publicity reads.  While the new menu isn't fully vegan (It also features other new dishes for those with allergies as well as for those who eat meat just as before), we are excited to see the new vegan options.

Vegan labels are now right on the menu. Furthermore, the chain even defines vegan on their menu and explains what it means! - "Does not include animal meat or dairy, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs or honey." The new menu changes are not only available locally but have also been rolled out throughout each of Uno's locations nationwide. Uno locations in Bucks County include Doylestown (Warrington) and Neshaminy (Bensalem).  In nearby Philadelphia you can find a location in Conshohocken and Bucks County residents can choose to visit Uno in nearby Hamilton, NJ as well.

Uno's new vegan options include 2 salads, 3 entrees and 14 veggie pizza toppings (all in this case coincidentally healthy veggies.. no plant based pepperoni just yet...) The entrees available are vegan veggie pizza (also called vegan garden pizza), vegan cheese pizza (with Daiya cheese), and the Beyond Burger. Given that the new vegan veggie pizza includes more healthy veggies (and less fat) we think many non-vegans will spring for this dine-out option too in an effort to stay healthier and get in more nutrients.  Hey, maybe the new menu labels will even inspire visitors to Google more about why people choose vegan.  

[Note that the vegan veggie (garden) pizza is not deep dish and we do hear that if you want deep dish you'll have to call your local restaurant ahead and request using your own discretion.  Also, missing from the vegan options notably is dessert, which we really hope is soon to follow.  A vegan brownie or chocolate cake if you're listening UNO.. all so easily made vegan!  Let's do this!  Many of us do not mind paying a slight additional cost while we wait for supply to heighten with demand and decrease cost.]

Even those not following a vegan diet seem excited by the new vegan inclusive menu changes. The changes make the restaurant more viable for families who have vegan family members they'd like to be able to dine with at the restaurant. The new vegan items are also viable for those participating in meatless Mondays and as we know, the Beyond Burger is well loved by vegans and non-vegans alike.

Local Bucks County vegan organizations like Vegans of Yardley are now planning special outings to try the new pizza!  We can certainly see why. Some local pizzerias in Bucks will add vegan cheese if you bring it in or you can bring your own to use cold to top your sauce-only pizza (In keeping it vegan just be sure the restaurant's pizza crust and sauce do not have dairy or butter added). Still, vegan options when it comes to pizza in Bucks are still scant. While many vegans prefer cheeses other than Daiya, the new updates to vegan menu are a welcome are a very welcome surprise and we support it!  Who will be next? Pizza Hut has added vegan cheese options in UK and Australia but not the US.

A spokesperson for Uno reached out to us and said "We are excited about this new menu we hope you'll try it!"  Last week, animal rights group PETA messaged all of their national text subscribers regarding the new menu additions as well asking that animal lovers support these positive changes.  

Did you know?

Not satisfied with the options at Uno or want to make your own Chicago style pizza economically at home? ...perhaps a Deep dish pizza with homemade cashew cheese, Yum!  We can see it now.  Guess what.. you may have to travel a little while or make a special trip but you can actually take cooking classes from Uno on how to make your own Uno-style deep dish pizza. Unfortunately these classes are not available vegan as of yet, but you could theoretically call ahead to request special class accommodations or apply the style to your very own ingredients at home. The closest class location to Bucks County is Washington DC.

See you in the comments?

Will you be trying and supporting the new options at Uno?  Let us know in the comments below.  Comments help us increase our search result status and reach!

Why order Vegan? Learn more here.

Peddler's Village is a well-known shopping village in Lahaska, Bucks County adjacent to the New Hope and Buckingham areas. Often sought after by visitors throughout the Philadelphia region and a very popular must-see with tourists to our region, this shopping village is notable for it's beautiful atmosphere and special spot in Bucks County history.

Built in 1962, the village was inspired by historic and colonial villages. Today the 42 acre village still features many shops and restaurants all situated about a beautifully landscaped walking path. The village even includes a replica of a historic watermill.

Peddler’s Village is anchored by the famous Cock n' Bull restaurant (traditional menu) which has operated within the village since it's opening, and is now home to more than 60 shops in distinct categories. These include 'gallery and artisans,' 'beer, wine and spirits,' 'collectibles and gifts,' 'fashion and accessories,' 'international, lifestyle and home,' 'lodging,' 'services,' 'specialty foods' and 'gifts and toys, books, sports and hobbies.'

Recently we decided to see if we could find any vegan and plant-based options within the specialty food section of the village where shoppers can find specialty prepackaged foods and gifts. We were pretty pleased with what we found and we believe the options will even grow in the future. We present our findings by shop below. To learn more about what makes and item vegan and / or plant-based click here.

Extra Virgin
- This shop sells specialty pastas and high quality oils and dressings. Not all pastas or oils are marked as vegan or are vegan but many contain simple and clean ingredients that many shoppers might find suitable. Just check the packaging. Staff is helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.

​The Lucky Cupcake Company
- This bakery in the village sells cupcakes, cookies and other traditional baked goods. Clearly marked vegan options are available each day. Some at room temperature are ready-to-eat and some refrigerated are ready to take home or to your small party. Larger orders can be made ahead of time. We'd love to see a vegan cookie but can report that the cupcakes are delicious. Some items can be made vegan if ordered in advance. Staff was helpful and informative about which items were vegan and pointed us in the right direction immediately.

Savory Spice Shop
- This shop sells spices and marinades. A few dressings are noted as vegan as well. Many spices are available for cooking. Check labels. Packaging that includes dairy is clearly marked with warning labels - very helpful.

Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn
- This shop sells specialty seasoned popcorn ready to go. Has dairy-free options, not marked as vegan. These may or may not be vegan but we are thrilled to see that many of the popcorns are dairy-free.

Skip's Candy Corner
- This staple of the village sells traditional fudge and candy. The shop has a few but not many vegan options including prepackaged Taza brand toffee flavor and other chocolates. We'd love to see a vegan fudge option in the future! (meaning dairy butter, milk, and egg free) We're going to keep posted.

Sticky Situations
- Honey is an animal product and since vegan is a label for 'no animal products or byproducts' honey is not vegan.. but what you will find here is a wealth of knowledge and information about honey bees thanks to the knowledgeable expert staff. If you're interested in that, this shop can be very helpful.

Bucks County House of Jerky
- This shop has vegan jerkies in addition to their other selection but carries other products that some shoppers may want to avoid.

All you need is a blender and some basic ingredients to make this delicious frosty treat that can be either more of a smoothie or a plant-based milkshake depending on whether or not you use frozen or unfrozen fruit ingredients! This shake / smoothie is sweetened with dates - no sugar added!  This is such a healthy and even more refreshing alternative to a regular ice cream banana split.

Bananas and cocoa powder make the nutrient-rich non-dairy base for what will make a delicious banana split flavor. This shake can be more or less chocolatey depending on how much cocoa powder your add!  Drink it as a snack on it's own or use it as the base for a breakfast, lunch or dessert bowl adding in whole fruits, walnuts, banana slices or other toppings - even plant-based whipped cream or sprinkles. We think you'll love it either way. We think this is the Ultimate banana split smoothie shake recipe! Here's the easy recipe: 
​

- One large or two small bananas 
- 2 Dates (just take out the pits)
- 2 heaping teaspoons of peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)
- 1/2 cup Oatly oat milk (or non-dairy milk of your choice)
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup shaved ice (unless your banana was frozen)
- 1.5 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1 scoop of vanilla plant-based protein like Nutiva brand (optional)
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To thicken up your smoothie shake, leave your mug in the freezer for a few minutes. (Serves 1-2)

Bucks County Vegan: What would you suggest people try at first to get a good feel for your dishes / weekly service (doesn't have to be vegan specific)? 

Saucy's Kitchen: A soup, the chili and maybe quiche and one of the entrees.

Bucks County Vegan: One common misconception I hear is that vegan food / dishes aren't as filling. Would you say that this is true with your vegan dishes?

Saucy's Kitchen: No, (given a usual portion size I would say) the food is very filling, especially the chili or the hearty soups like the Roasted Carrot/ Sweet Potato soup or the creamy, rich quiche.

Bucks County Vegan: Have you or any family members seen or felt any positive results from adding more vegan or plant based dishes to your own life?  

Saucy's Kitchen: Yes per the comments above, my dad has. My husband is super healthy. I have actually gained a bit since I am cooking so much and making sure the recipes taste good as I create new menu options—ha, ha

Bucks County Vegan: What is your best advice for someone who isn't vegan but who might like to try your vegan items?

Saucy's Kitchen: I think if they are going to ‘Just try it” best items would be chili or the mushroom soup or maybe the vegan bolognaise as they are all delicious and “happen to be vegan”- I don’t think they need to try it for a week, check out the menu each week and see what sounds interesting and give it a try, the costs are very reasonable so if you don’t like it you really didn’t risk much…

Bucks County Vegan: Where else can people find dishes from Saucy's Kitchen? What is the best way for someone to experience your dishes for the first time? 

Saucy's Kitchen: There are cooking classes available as well at  Yardley bagel Café and at people’s homes if they want  How can we purchase? You can order food online at saucykitchen.com anytime Thursday- Saturday at noon and pick up on Monday at Yardley Bagel Café from 4:30-7 or you can try a few of the items at lunch or breakfast in the café though the menu is limited to chili, quiche, lemon poppy bread and sometimes a vegan soup- they also have vegan bagels.

Readers can learn more about Saucy's Kitchen meal pick-up service based in Yardley, PA by visiting www.saucyskitchen.com.


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JUMP TO THE BUCKS COUNTY PA VEGAN FOOD DIRECTORY

If you're in Bucks, you're likely familiar with our neighbor to the North the Lehigh Valley! If you're taking a day or weekend trip to the Lehigh Valley, there are some great resources to find Vegan tips for your trip. Here are are few:

Save the Kales! - Save the Kales is an active group on Facebook that has a presence on other social media platforms such as Instagram.

Lehigh Valley Vegan - Lehigh Valley Vegan is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to increase plant-based options for restaurants and promote veganism in the LV, PA.

Vegan in the Valley - Vlogger Dylan Sweeney has stepped up to help you find vegan hotspots in the Lehigh Valley as well. You can find his new clips from the series Vegan in the Valley on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9wPNjCtL-M&t=22s


What are some of your other vegan resources for the area? If you have one we've missed, please let us know in the comments.