T.O.F.U. Magazine » quebec

T.O.F.U. to hit the road in August (with your help?)

Ryan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:05:43 +0000

Although it will not be as large-scale as the first T.O.F.U. tour, we are currently working on a cross-Canada tour to coincide with the release of issue 6 in August. If we’re going to travel across the continent to Portland for Vida Vegan Con, we might as well have some fun on the way, right?

With that in mind, here’s the catch: we’re poor.

I know, you’re shocked. How could a magazine that depends on vegan-friendly companies and folks like yourself to support it be poor, right? Well, apparently life can be expensive, especially when you throw in student loans, rent, and a few other things (like food).

Of course, this means we’re trying to get across the country as cheaply as possible, while still maintaining a schedule so that we can book venues in cities along the way. Thus, biking and hitchhiking are out.

Luckily, this is where you come in! Here’s a PROPOSED list of the tour, followed by a list of what we’re in need of at each stop. If you think you can help in any way wherever you live, drop us a line.

Possible T.O.F.U. tour stops

Halifax
Moncton
Saint John
Fredericton
Quebec City
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Winnipeg
Brandon
Regina or Saskatoon
Calgary or Edmonton
Vancouver

Things we need help with

Venues to hold the event (preferably with a speaker system to allow live music)
Musicians (preferably at least one veg*n member in each act)
Local organizations to table and promote awareness of the work they do (should be appropriate for a vegan event)
Couch/floor/reclining chair to sleep in

If you think you have an answer to any of these, feel we should host an event in your area, or just want to be involved but don’t quite know what to do, email us (ryan at ilovetofu.ca) and we’ll start working on this together.

Behind the lines: Viva Vegan

Ryan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:55:07 +0000

Although I have yet to shop at the new store in Montreal (4148 St-Laurent), which is conveniently located just minutes away from one of the best vegan restaurants in the country, Aux Vivres (4631 St-Laurent), I have shopped online with Viva Vegan. Formerly known as Viva Granola, Brigit and Gregory have been big supporters of the magazine for some time now, and it’s not hard to return that support when they have such a variety of products available. Of course, their friendly attitude and prompt response certainly does not hurt matters! So, when I head up to Montreal in a few months to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor, you can bet I will be making my way to the new store with an Aux Vivres Montreal smoked “meat” sandwich in hand.

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Why run a vegan-friendly business?
The question we asked ourselves was more “Why not?”
We are vegans and we knew firsthand what it was like to try and find vegan products in our neck of the woods and we thought “This is absolute BS!” and “Someone has to fix this”. And then “Why can’t that someone be us?” The rest is herstory.

How long have you been in business?
We opened our virtual doors on World Vegan Day 2007 (Woohoo! Anything to double-party…)

Favourite part about it?
Taste-testing all the products we bring in and deciding what we are keeping all to ourselves and what we are sharing with our customers… OR getting to eat all that has not sold before the Best Before Date (thanking the Vegan Gods that vegan products almost never really “expire”). Or really, meeting great and amazing people who often become friends.

Anything new people should know about?
After three years of being online only, we are FINALLY opening our Physical-IRL-Brick & Mortar-In-Your-Face Retail Store!! Starting January 2011, we will be at 4148 St-Laurent, Montreal, right on the Main. Thanks again to the Vegan Gods.

Who would win in a fight: Quinoa or Couscous?
Kale… or broccoli. Quinoa or Couscous are absolutely no match for the Awesome Power of Leafy Greens. But as you are twisting our arm, we will answer Quinoa because Quinoa is the Bok Choy of grains.

What’s THE thing a vegan has to do in your town?
You mean apart from visiting us at 4148 St-Laurent, Montreal, right on the Main?
If so, we’d say go for a BLT at Aux Vivres – which incidentally is located 650m from 4148 St-Laurent… which you should definitely visit (all horn-tooting aside, naturally)…

Behind the lines: Stéphane Groleau

Ryan — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:21:31 +0000

Although I have never actually met Stéphane, we have corresponded over the past couple of years about several vegan things. An active member of the vegan community in Quebec, as well as an organic farmer, Stephane was kind enough to write two articles (“Agriculture et Veganisme” & “The World’s First Vegan Accordion”) in the current issue of the magazine. Plus, in a T.O.F.U. first, one of those articles was in French. Presenting articles in languages other than English is something we hope to do more of in the future, and we’re glad Stéphane was the first.

VeganQuebec | Veganic Garden Info | Eco-rdeon | Facebook

In one word, why are you vegan?
Foodfriendsanimalsearthlovelife

How long have you been vegan?
I became vegan in 2001. That’s about ten years ago!

Who would win in a fight: Quinoa or Couscous?
Quinoa would win! It’s healthier and more nutritious than couscous, and quinoa can replace couscous in recipes. We can even eat quinoa raw by sprouting it. Couscous doesn’t sprout very well!!!

Would you prefer to lead a revolution or to live quietly in the woods?
I think I would lead a revolution in a quiet wood…

If there is a revolution, will it be televised or a Facebook event?
I don’t think a revolution can be televised or a Facebook event. A revolution needs to be enacted! Though, a Facebook event could help.

Favourite vegan thing in your town?
The vegan potluck we organize each month!