Thursday, August 09, 2007

a bloggiversary, a recipe, and a request




Welcome to the first anniversary of "Where's the Revolution?" everyone! I can't believe that it was one year ago today that Daiku and I wrote the first post for this blog. I had been mulling over the idea of starting a blog for a while, but it wasn't until August 9th, when we went to a rally observing the 61st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki that the name and the intent of this project fully took form.

What I wanted to explore was how, in the face of such real suffering and injustice in this world, we could begin to make a difference. I truly believe that actions that can at times seem minute, such as the food choices that we make, the choice of what cosmetic or cleaning products to buy, the relationships that we establish in our community and in the broader world, can affect real change in the world. In that sense, this is a blog about green living in general-- animal rights and veganism, environmentalism, awareness, and justice.

I've made a conscious effort on this blog to let my actions speak louder than my words. When I talk about local or seasonal food, an animal-free recipe, or a consumer awareness issue, those things demonstrate my beliefs. I like looking over my old blog posts and noting how my style and tone have changed, as I'm sure is true for many of you long-time bloggers too.

But mostly, it's about the food! All the talk in the world about veganism won't do any good unless people can see and appreciate the appeal of cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, healthy food. So in this post I bring you another installment in the "vegan Iranian" series:



"salad-e-mast" (Iranian yogurt salad) (vegan)

This refreshing summertime salad, which is a cooling blend of chopped veggies, mint, and thick yogurt, used to be one of my favorites as a kid. I'd given up the idea of veganizing it, because soy yogurt tends to have the wrong texture and taste to substitute for a thick, savory yogurt. But that's where the Tofutti sour cream steps in! I made this back in June while staying and my mother's house, and everyone agreed that it had authentic flavor and feel. Try this yourself the next time a heat wave has you longing for something cool.
  • 1 cup Tofutti sour cream or other thick non-dairy sour cream
  • 3 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 2 small cucumbers, or 1/2 English cucumber, diced
  • heaping TB dried mint or more, to taste (you can also use fresh chopped mint or a combination of fresh and dried)
  • 1 TB extra virgin olive oil
  • 3-4 TB red wine or apple cider vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients, adjusting the seasonings to your taste. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Stir before serving. Eat alone or as an accompaniment to a main course.

Variation: leave out the tomatoes and onions, and add 1-2 cloves of garlic for "mast-o-khiar," (yogurt and cucumber salad), which is very similar to Greek tzatziki.

* * *

I just want to thank everyone who visits this blog and leaves comments. I learn so much from you guys every day. I never thought blogging would lead to getting to know so many cool people, some of whom I consider true friends. (You know who you are!) Thank you so much for making blogging a truly fun and worthwhile hobby! I feel bad for any vegan who hasn't tapped into the awesomeness of the blogging community.

And lastly, one request to all you lurkers out there. I know there are many people who read this blog who do not leave comments, which is totally cool. However, I was wondering if, just this one time, I could ask you to de-lurk and leave me a comment? It could be anonymous if you wish, I just want to get a sense of who reads this blog, what you get out of it, what you would like to see more or less of, where you are, what you do, etc. (Obviously, you don't have to reveal anything you don't want to!)

Thanks, all!


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56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats in your aniversary!

aimi said...

i'm a fellow iranian (2nd generation) who loves animals, hates cruelty, and reads your blog often. i found you looking for veg*n iranian recipes, which i'm working on myself.

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary Bazu! I enjoy getting to know you better with every passing day. You are an intelligent, thoughtful, sincere, and beautiful woman. I am proud to call you my friend.

aTxVegn said...

Happy 1st anniversary, Bazu! Your blog is all you aspired it to be. I can't tell you how much I enjoy every post, how much I learn from you, and how proud I am to be your fellow blogger. Ditto everything Crystal wrote.

I love when you post Iranian recipes. This salad will be a great way to use my fresh tomatoes.

Susan Voisin said...

Happy blog birthday, Bazu! I've loved your blog ever since I first found it, and I know it's making a difference in the world. Viva la revoluciĆ³n!

I think using toffuti sour cream instead of yogurt in this salad is brilliant. Every soy yogurt I've bought just tastes wrong in salads and raitas, so I will definitely have to give this a try. Thanks for so many great recipes!

Unknown said...

congratulations, dear Bazu! I think that calls for a seitan pasties celebration more than anything else ever can hope to! <3

Jen said...

Happy Blogiversary, Bazu! I love all your different kinds of posts -- the food (which IS inherently political!), the travels (loved the Farm Sanctuary visist, especially), and the vegan society gatherings. I think anytime you document something from your life to share with us, we learn. And it often builds a sense of community and shared values. It's fun getting to know YOU!

Unknown said...

happy anniversary! I'm a lurker, don't get a lot of time to comment, but I do read when I can!

Anna said...

Happy bloggiversary! I'm thrilled with the tofutti sour cream for yogurt tip. Now I know just how to veganize some savoury yogurty things in this one cookbook I own... I really like learning more about your Iranian heritage and the cuisine too.

I love this blog Bazu, there's a great mix of things here--food, animals (like the Farm Sanctuary post), memories, big issues. And you're a very generous member of the vegan blogging community it seems to me--visiting and commenting on many other blogs, and always being so positive and encouraging. Thank you!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Yay for your one year bloggiversary!! I very much enjoy reading and commenting on your blog...from your insightful, thought-provoking posts to the regular posts about awesome vegan food. Definitely those non-blogging vegans are missing out! Can't wait to see how your blog grows in the next year!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!! im happy that the vegan comunity can count with such a amazing girl like you!!
wishing this blog many more years!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the one-year blogiversary of your great blog!

Anonymous said...

Happy bloggiversary! If you lived nearby I'd give you a jar of my newly made vanilla-sugar syrup boiled plums.

You're an inspiration! May there be mnay years to come :)

Anonymous said...

Delurk, delurk, delurk!

Happy anniversary, Bazu. I love seeing the different takes that you have on life and general events, and read you as a part of my lazy -vegetarian-sympathetic-to-veganism attempts to get more vegan-friendly in my cooking. (I'm allergic to soy, corn and mushcooms, which has put a bit of a wrench in going all-vegan, so observing others is my best way of getting new ideas.)

Emilie said...

Happy Blog Birthday! Yay! And what a lovely post to celebrate it with. I think you're right on when you talk about the politics of our choices and how relevant it is to build community not just around what we choose to eat, but around what we know it means politically to makes the kinds of food choices we do. You have been a major force in my blogging life--immediately showing me that I could have a place in this world and I'm really thankful to you for that. In my mind at least you are a one woman vegan blogger welcoming committee.

Gotta try that salad--I'm overloaded with CSA cucumbers (best ever!) and tomatoes (ditto for the fresh amazing flavor!)

radioactivegan said...

I just wanted to say that, like everyone else, I love your blog. You have great recipes, but so much more. I especially like reading about the everyday choices you make to be more conscientious. Please keep your blog going for many anniversaries to come!

Anonymous said...

Hi Bazu,
I�m definitely a lurker : )
I try to visit your blog every day, and I truly enjoy your insight and recipes. I have been vegan for 8 months, and I truly could not have done it without the amazing ideas I get from the vegan blog community.
So thank you!
And happy anniversary!

Aiyana

Amey said...

Happy Blogday!
It has been such a treat getting to know you through your blog (and all the other blogs & comments out there)... I particularly love the way your spirit and character pours out of your blog - whether you are posting about food or a trip to NYC or a date with the Syracuse bloggers... I even love the occasional, random non-food posts.

It's an assertion of yoga philosophy that all things are inter-related - actually, that all things are one. So, when we learn to eat with integrity and care, we gradually learn to make all our choices with integrity and care. There's the revolution! ha ha.

Yours is always one of the first blogs I go to, and I miss you when you or I hasn't posted in a while. Thanks for being a new bloggy friend!

And, of course, you KNOW I love those Iranian recipes!!! That inspires me to do some more Iranian cooking... mmm.

You mentioned the song about the rainbow - yes! When we finally meet up, you can teach it to me. I heard a very sad story on the BBC recently about how all the traditional songs & children's songs of Afghanistan are in danger of disappearing forever since the Taliban didn't/don't allow any music or singing. A woman in Canada got a bunch of older emigrees to record songs for her, & then she wrote out the words and music and made a little book, which she has been distributing in Afghanistan. At one event, here in the west somewhere, she was talking about this project with an audience of mostly Afghanis, and everyone decided to sing all these songs together! She said everyone was crying by the end... just from singing children's songs together. Isn't it amazing?

Vegan Pi said...

I just started reading...I think I clicked on you through the PPK (I'm Pi there) and added you to my google reader. So although I've only been reading a short time I'll delurk!

TB said...

happy bloggerversary, bazu! i love your blog and want it to see many more august 9ths :) i like everything about this blog and have no ideas or desire for changes, myself... sorry to be so awesomely unhelpful! i did want to say thanks for the speed reading tip about dragging your finger down the page, though, because it's totally working!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

Ironically, I'm watching a special on BBC where Margaret Thatcher was just called a "one woman revolution". Bah!

You're a one-blogger revolution! Keep the foodie faith!

Anonymous said...

Delurk sequence commencing...

I've enjoyed your blog. I'm a fellow Syracusan who is slowing evolving into a vegetarian. I appreciate learning about food from all over the world, so I particularly enjoy your posts about Iranian food.

Congratulations on your anniversary, and keep writing!

SaraJane said...

I love your blog. I actually just started one myself after thinking about it for a long time. Congrats on your first anniversary! I'm sure it feels so awesome to have so many random people in cyberspace reading your stuff. :D Way to go. :D

Anonymous said...

Happy blog birthday! I don't post much, but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the fact that you keep up your blog--I really enjoy it! Your photos are so beautiful and I love the recipes you post--thank you!

Courtney
PS I used to live near Syracuse, and I appreciate occasionally hearing what is going on there (I now live in MN)!

urban vegan said...

Happy blogiversary, Bazu. I ejoy your blog and it's been so nice getting to know you. I really hope we get to meet one day soon.

Nicole said...

Happy Blogiversary! I pretty much love everything about your blog, if I had one request it would be for more posts (but i know that is tough as we want posts to have a point).

Great job; and thank you!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

happy bloggiversary!! how exciting!! I have been following your blog since the beginning (I can't believe it's been a year already), and now that I have my own blog, I'm able to comment on, and enjoy reading, your blog even more!!

runswithdog said...

Happy Blogiversary, friend! Keep writing and fighting the good fight. I can tell from all the comments above that you have struck a nerve with your readers and are greatly appreciated. Oh, and just as an aside.....I have been mojito-ing it up here but mine don't compare to Daiku's! His were the best :-)

anna/village vegan said...

Happy blog birthday, bazu! Your blog is one of the very first vegan blogs I started reading and it's definately one of my favorites. You have so many yummy recipes and I enjoy hearing your perspective on current events.

Your yogurt salad looks really yummy; I totally have to try it. Actually, I made the Turkish version (it's called haydari) of that salad for dinner tonight. I drained the yogurt (in a cheesecloth lined colander) for about 8 hours, and I was really happy with the results-- it got really thick and good. I think I got about 2 cups of drained yogurt from 4 cups of undrained-- it really lost a lot of liquid.

dreamy said...

HAppy anniversary! :)
Unfortunately we dun have tofutti sour cream here ahhh... :S
But The dish looks great and simple :)!

Unilove said...

Hello:

I happened upon your blog as I was looking for cool vegan sites for my vegan niece. What I found was a literate, sincere blogger, who posts amazing photos and posts.

I find I enjoy reading your food adventures and admiring your beautiful photos, but also love your human posts on your life in general.

It is a pleasure to read your blog daily. Thank you for doing so. I can imagine it gets hard to keep up, but you do so very well.

A.M. said...

Happy blogiversary!

I'm one of those lurkers. :-) I'm Dutch, student, vegan for 3 years or so. What I like about your blog? Well, most of all, the Iranian food. I don't know many (actually, none) vegans who cook Iranian... And for the rest... you post great looking pictures of great looking food, it's that simple!

aimee said...

Hi Bazu...Happy Blogiversary! I don't think I've offered up a comment before, but I have been enjoying your blog for quite a while now! Thanks for all of your fantastic recipes and for your beautiful voice!
Aimee

Bridget said...

Happy Bloggiversary!!!!! I love your blog and feel so fortunate to have also me ta great friend.

Jody from VegChic said...

Hey Bazu,

I definitely frequently your blog. I'm always looking to what you guys have cooked up and check out what you write about.

I also love to see what is going on in a different states like when you get to go cherry picking.

On a completely different note. I'll be in NY state all weekend (18-20). The 19th is a wedding, but I'm planning to stop at Moosewood for lunch on Sat. I know it is a drive for you guys, but if you are interested in joining a couple of friends and I...we'd love to meet you! Drop me an email if it is doable.

laura k said...

Happy blogiversary, Bazu! I learn so much from your blog and really appreciate the wide spectrum of topics you explore... you always manage to get me thinking. (Hey, by the way, I followed your recipe for mojitos a few days ago and yum, yum...) I agree about vegan blogging--having this community is something I really adore.

Unknown said...

Well, I'm not really a lurker in the traditional sense. I read posts without commeting as often as I read post and comment. So, for what it's worth, thank you for blogging and happy bloggiversary!

Anonymous said...

Hello Bazu.

I am another one of the lurkers. From Canada this time. I have been a vegetarian for the past 10+ years, and upon reading some vegan blogs (yours included) I have decided to try out veganism a month or so ago. So far so good. I think the blogs I read are not only a source of inspiration but also of great entertainment in some cases.
Anyway... Happy one year!

Tracy said...

Hey Bazu! I confess I've been more of a lurker than a comemnter, this summer at least! Happy Blog-avversiary and keep it up- your blog is one of my faves!

alana said...

my boyfriend moved to syracuse a couple days ago, i've been lurking for months hoping there is a way to live vegan in syracuse. the prospects seem grim for one with out a car.

vko said...

Happy Blogiversary dear Bazu!

Your blog is always so inspirational and your cooking so impressive. I'm so glad to know you and to be inspired by you. And by the looks of your 40something comments, you inspire many many people...

It was so much fun to meet you & Daiku! Can't wait to do it again!

Theresa said...

Happy Blogiversary, Bazu! I love reading your blog to see what you are eating, what issues are on your mind, and what animals have entered your life for the moment :) Some people probably think it's a bit nerdy, but I really feel like I know you and other bloggers!

Keep up the good blogging!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog Anniversary! Wishing you another great year! :D

Anonymous said...

Hi! Happy blog anniversary :) I am a lurker who reads your blog to make me feel more at home here @ Syracuse. I moved here a little over a year ago and love reading your blog to find out what's happening.

I look forward to reading more in the future!

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Happy, HAPPY Anniversary, BAZU!!! I thoroughly enjoy your blog and learn so much from you. Here's wishing for more.

Anonymous said...

I am definitely a lurker - I'm a vegetarian, but eat vegan 95% of the time. I read your blog all the time and use it for inspiration in my own cooking. I look up to you and all the vegan bloggers!

Isil Simsek said...

another delurker here ;) Happy anniversary!keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Hi. I am a lurker. I love your blog. What I get from it are great, wonderful, delicious, fantastic recipes - - and the opportuntity to feel like I am sharing my morning coffee with a like-minded friend . . . I have so few here in Minnesota. Like-minded that is, not friends! :) Thanks for your wonderful blog and the invitation to come out of lurker-dom for a minute. P.S. Don't change a thing!

Anonymous said...

blogiversary! i'm a big fan of your blog! with beautiful photos, recipes and visions of your world, i check your blog often to get inspired :)

Molly G said...

Hello Bazu,

I'm a lurker who loves your blog! I think you do connect all the aspects of veganism (it goes beyond just what you put in your mouth) so well. Keep on blogging. I'll keep on reading!

~Molly

Kati said...

Happy Blogiversary! I agree that the vegan blogging community is very special - and we're happy to have you!

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Hi Bazu! You know that you and I have been in touch here and there, so I'm 100% a lurker. :) That being said, I don't comment as much as I could/should. So, just a reminder that I think your blog is fantastic and I hope to meet you someday! Next time you're in L.A. (or I'd drive to O.C. to meet you), let me know!

Hugs and congrats on your blogiversary!

vegyogini

Marz said...

Okay, a few days late but here is another delurking. Came over to your blog by way of Meesh at "The Eph Word". Love your writing and I am supper impressed that you can maintain a blog, vegan cooking and a relationship while going through grad school. Love the travel photos and the food photos - just give us more of the same. Congratulations on your anniversary.

KleoPatra said...

Bazu, you know i love you! :o) i'm no lurker, i'm here as much as i can, always enjoying your writing, your photos, your essence, your world.

Thank you!

Hugs,
K (& Mat)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Thank goodness you decided to start your blog. What we all do without you? :) Congratulations! Wishing you many more years for your sake and ours.

scottishvegan said...

I know it's a bit late, but Happy Bloggiversary! Your blog is truly inspiring. You are articulate and funny and I have really missed reading your blog of late. I don't think I could ask any more of your blog...it's one of the best blogs (not just vegan blogs) I've seen! :)