My favorite event of the year, after Christmas and my birthday, would have to be Vegan MoFo. Like its novel-writing inspiration, NaNoWriMo, vegan food bloggers set their output to maximum, aiming for 20 posts in a month’s time. (Not all of the 600 bloggers participating are vegan, but for the month, all of their posts will be.) While lentils, kale, and cashew-based dressings move into the spotlight, some bloggers build their focus on a theme. On October 1st when MoFo begins, it will be my third time participating, and each time I’ve had a theme.
VEGAN MOFO 2010
The first year my theme was a tongue in cheek answer to that oft-asked question to vegans, “But what would you do if you landed on a deserted island?” I’ve met quite a few vegans in my day, and thus far I haven’t found any who have, against their wills, landed on a desolate island, where the only thing in sight to eat were furry or scaled friends. (Plus, most of the people doing the asking also live on dry land with grocery stores, restaurants aplenty, gardens, and farmers markets. Maybe it’s us that should be asking them, “Okay, so you don’t live on a deserted island. Why aren’t you vegan?”) Anyway, in preparation of that mythical day that I travel to a land without express check-out lanes, I made a few packing lists:
Top five beans, grains, and lentils
VEGAN MOFO 2011
The next year my theme was Unconventional Ways to Suss Out a Vegan. You’ve heard that old joke, “How do you know if someone is vegan? Don’t worry. They’ll tell you.” Well, that’s the easy route. You could also look over their attire for Herbivore t-shirts, a Vaute Couture coat, or a Christy Robinson necklace. But why not go the unconventional route, and ask them…
To help you egg a car…
To cook you a Thanksgiving-style meal…
Why don’t you send them mass emails…
Or ask what they’re reading?
You could look for dinner rituals…
Order a cheeseless pizza with them…
Inspect their Halloween costume…
Or ask them to host a wine and cheese night!
VEGAN MOFO 2012
So after all of that, what’s my theme for Vegan MoFo 2012? I’m doing a month of themed dinner parties with plenty of construction paper and puns to go with those appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You’ll have to wait and see which dinner party theme I’ll be using for the first week, but here’s a little hint…
Have you entered the EZ Tofu Press giveaway? Do it now! Only a few days left…
My third year too! Fantastic themes, Cadry. I can’t believe we missed each other the first year, so glad I finally found you
and your blog. I had a theme last year, “a baker leaves sugar behind.” This year each day will be a theme day. Can’t wait to
see what you come up with this year. Oh in answer to your nugget question from previous blog, cube first, bread second.
Vegan MoFo is like Disneyland. You’ve got to plan where to meet up, or you may not find each other! (Maybe that will be next year’s theme – lost at Disneyland!) I’m glad we finally found each other too. I discovered so many cool people during last year’s MoFo. Who knows who we’ll discover this year?
So excited to see what you have in store for this year’s MoFo! This is our first year participating–we’re very excited and nervous!
Yay!!! I’m glad you’re taking part. What you do is super creative and fun. Can’t wait to see what you roll out for MoFo!
Cadry – I love your creativity and fondly recall last year’s MoFo! How fun – looking forward to what you have in store this year!
Oh, thanks, Jason! Sweet words from an uber-creative soul!
I love your theme! I can’t wait for mofo but I’m little nervous I won’t be able to keep up this year, I’m still shocked I was able to do it last year.
Thanks, Maggie! That’s awesome that you successfully did it last year! I’m sure the adrenaline will kick in, and you’ll do great! I look forward to reading your posts!
Your mofo themes always leave the rest of us — or should I say some of us — or should I be more specific and say, me, in the dust — or would that be crumbs. I’m looking forward to your posts, and I’ll join you in my quiet way, for a third year of mofo. Yay!
I agree with Andrea:) I love love super love your theme and all your previous mofos! cant wait for October already!
those videos are my mood helpers on not so interesting days:)
What a sweet thing to say, Richa! Thank you! I know your pizza theme is going to keep me salivating all month!
Please! You’re way too modest, Andrea! I love your posts, humor, and insights! Congrats on a third MoFo. I’ll be reading!
can’t wait to see what you come up with lady!
Thanks, Jess! I’m bummed you won’t be participating this year!
Ah, you’re so creative! Can’t wait to see what you have in store this year!
Thanks, Bobbie! I look forward to keeping up with The Vegan Crew too! I remember much deliciousness from last year, especially when I won several kinds of vegan queso on your blog!
Good luck with the MoFoing! I remember there was one year, 2010 I think, where MoFo was in November in addition to NaNoWriMo. And I was crazy and decided to do both. Succeeded, too, but man that was a busy month!
Whoa, NaNoWriMo AND VeganMoFo?! That’s a tremendous undertaking! I’m sure once December rolled around you felt very accomplished! Did you do anything more with the novel you wrote during that time?
I’m sorry I missed 2011. And thanks for including the videos from last year. I’ve just spend the last 10 minutes watching them (and I’m at work). So funny. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us this year.
Oh, how nice! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I loved your theme from last year and I can’t wait for the dinner party theme! I’m doing my official “theme reveal” on Monday at Midnight
)
I LOVE MOFO. We need bumper stickers!!
XOXO and see you around the ‘Fo!!
Dawn
Yay! I can’t wait to see what your theme is when the big reveal happens. It won’t be long now!
Yes, MoFo bumper stickers are in order! Let’s start brainstorming now… I brake for MoFo. I’d rather be MoFoing. My other car is actually a blog that’s participating in VeganMoFo. (I’d need to get a bigger car for that one…)
Wow, such creativity! Can’t wait to read your posts… Oh, and I love a good pun
Thanks, Belinda! Good luck with your first MoFo! You have a great theme set-up. I’m sure it will be a fun month!
What a great recap of MoFos past! Those videos kill me every time. Especially the cheeseless pizza one.
I’m so excited to see what you have in store for us! I love theme parties!
Thanks, Kristy! I love theme parties too. They make a gathering so festive!
I love your videos! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for vegan mofo. I’m sad that I missed the deadline. I’m still going to try to use it as a reason to blog more.
I left a note on your blog about participating in Vegan MoFo anyway. There’s a new way to get added to the RSS feed, and you can still add the MoFo button to your blog. You should do it!
I love your theme! I only wish I could come over for dinner!
Thanks, Linda! You and the family are invited for dinner anytime. I’ll get the grape leaves!