daiya cheese* and michelle pfieffer





the idea of finding and liking a vegan cheese was something i had just about given up on.  i've tried so many and they have all been a disappointment.  but recently i went to lunch with a friend and i ordered vegan lasagna.  it was made with daiya vegan mozzarella cheese.  the first bite was indescribably delicious.  i was in heaven!  i bought some of my own and made this easy zucchini pizza just to try it out.  

i'm telling you it is yummy, melty and stretchy.  it adds flavor and nice texture to the pizza.
i have grown to love my pizzas without cheese but every once in awhile this will be nice.

here is daiya's website

*no animals were harmed making this pizza



did you catch the beautiful michelle pfieffer's interview where she discusses why she became vegan?
there are so many reasons to go vegan and hers are as good as any.
check out her interview here.

have a happy weekend everyone.
what are you doing?
we are going backpacking in the eastern sierras this weekend and i'm hoping i can keep up.
yikes.

xo
janet



52 comments

  1. I've never noticed it at the store but their website says they have it both stores I shop. I'll give it a try.

    Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do you have any sites or books you recommend to start a switch? Or do you deliver? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi heather, i always recommend the skinny bitch book b/c it is funny, easy to read and makes you think. give it a try.

      Delete
    2. Here are a few other good reads ~

      101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian by Pamela Rice - "The Mighty Convincer"
      http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/2011ed.new/

      The PHYSICANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE has much excellent health and nutrition information
      http://www.pcrm.org/

      And

      Eco-Eating
      http://www.brook.com/veg/


      KO

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    3. Thank you so kindly!!! : )

      Delete
  3. Hello Janet:
    There must be a huge opening for you in Budapest we think as Vegetarian food and places to eat it have barely reached the City yet. So, instead of backpacking in the Eastern Sierras [just think of the strain on the knees]come and stay for a while with us in Budapest and convert the natives.

    Does Daiya deliver to Central Europe?

    Enjoy a lovely weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JANET - hey girl--you are the best! I am going to try that vegan cheese.

    I saw michelle on cnn
    and she talked about why she decided to go vegan. GOOD!
    the books china study & prevent and reverse heart disease should sell even more now!
    she mentioned she read both of those.

    the important things i got from watching her speak about going vegan
    were these :

    1. commit to trying it--for 8 weeks. don't commit to doing it forever but you owe it to yourself to try.
    [ that is what i tell people--don't commit to being vegan for the rest of your life but try it for 8 weeks
    and see how great you feel ]

    2. people age 50 & older really do need to think carefully about what they eat and how it affects their health.
    she is 54 - the age when many people begin having health issues. her cholesterol was too high.
    that [ + vanity ] was her main reason for trying the vegan diet. after 2 months she had her cholesterol re-tested and
    it had dropped 83 points. she also loved eating the vegan way so that was when she decided to stay ON the vegan diet.
    so yes michelle is vain --like most hollywood actresses. but she is older now and wiser than many also.
    so she is also interested in health.

    i'm disappointed she did not even ONCE mention animal suffering --
    here is what i recall her saying--
    "Vanity is right under there, but I have to say that it's a close second with wanting to live long."

    ok fine - as for me i do not care to live a LONG time - i just want the years i have left here on earth to be healthy ones.
    i want to enjoy my life and not contribute to animal cruelty.
    and i hate seeing my friends suffer and die needlessly. and i hate that animals have to suffer
    because people are addicted to meat and animal products. ugh.

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  5. Have a wonderful time backpacking in the Sierras. I am sure you'll have some stories to tell. Take some pictures for us! I don't doubt for a second that you can keep up. xoxo

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  6. You're slowly convincing me to check out what veganism is all about. Have a safe hike!

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  7. have you tried any of the recipes from the Uncheese Cookbook? There are lots of good recipes - my family loves the crock cheese, and my friend Jackie makes some of the hard cheeses. They are super tasty and low points (for anyone doing Weight Watchers).

    Have a great time in the Sierras - I'm envious! and without a doubt you'll keep up, you'll probably set the pace!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i use their recipe for cashew cheese (i think it's theirs) and it is so good.

      Delete
  8. Janet,

    You'd be so proud of me. I am doing a raw food vegan eating plan right now. It is a challenge for me but it is really opening my eyes to a lot as well. I just might have to try this cheese you write about cause I do enjoy cheese sometimes. Enjoy your weekend in the Sierras. Sounds fabulous. I have no doubt you can keep up.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Janet,

    Your pizza looks so good...I just checked and Ralph's is supposed to have it...I thought I would at least need to go to Whole Foods. I know you have inspired so many people to give the vegan diet a try...I think I'm getting closer to the idea of at least giving it a try. For so many reasons, but now that I'm over 50 it seems even more important to think and make choices about what what we fuel our bodies with.

    On another note...I know I left a comment on your last post (JW) and it never showed up. Is it a blogger problem? Delete?

    Enjoy your weekend and I'm sure you'll be in the lead on your backpacking trip!

    xo
    annie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i don't know about the comment. blogger has a mind of its own.

      Delete
  10. Have a great time camping, sounds so wonderful to sleep outdoors. It's been a long time for me. I have thought about trying a vegan diet, but am very afraid of gaining weight, because of the carbs. I guess I need to read about it? Any book recommendations?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. any books by dr john mc dougall are good or look at his website - he gives his program for free on-line.
      The program is free at: http://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html

      http://drmcdougall.com/

      his starch & plant based low fat vegan way of eating is excellent.

      The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss was developed over 20 years ago to help people lose excess body fat more efficiently. With this modification there is still no limit on quantities consumed. However, flour products (breads, bagels, pastas, etc.), sugars, and high-fat plant foods (nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, etc.) are eliminated. Small, frequent meals and simplicity in meal design are encouraged. Exercise is important.

      Meal plans are based on familiar unrefined starches (rice, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, winter squashes, etc.) Green and yellow vegetables (traditional diet foods) are emphasized, and these may make up a third to a half of the volume consumed at a meal—these lower calorie foods are best consumed at the beginning of the meal. --From an early (2006) entry by the good doctor (McDougall)

      I love the simple regular McDougall starch based diet because it's satisfying, economical, produces great results, doesn't restrict social life THAT much, offers many choices and is practical for long-term success. It is nutritious & satisfying and you do not become hungry. No B.S. and no gimmicks. No counting calories and no measuring and weighing stuff. It's really an EASY way to eat.

      If you're eating typical American fare you have to work REALLY REALLY HARD not to gain weight. Everyone overestimates the calories they're eating. WIth one exception-- If you cut out oil, dairy, meat, & nuts you can eat all the live long day--and never gain weight. Well, almost never.

      Delete
  11. "The most important tenet of the McDougall diet: consuming meat, poultry, fish, and dairy-products is at the root of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and intestinal problems. When I began my lifestyle-oriented medical practice as an internist in 1978, I was interested in dietary change only for the sake of my patients—I was unaware of animal rights and environmental issues. Over the years I have grown to understand that changing what humans eat is also essential for planet survival; meaning eliminating cruelty at the dinner table, and slowing climate change and pollution. People who believe in any or all of these issues must stand together; helping each other in order to make a difference in the future." [ so says Dr Mc Dougall ]

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  12. Yay - so glad you reviewed the Daiya cheese - I have been wanting to try it so now I will. I saw Clinton being interviewed by Harvey Weinstein last week on his becoming a vegan because of his heart disease, wanting to be here for his grandchildren - so interesting. Everyone has their own story. Your blog is so enlightening in so many ways - thanks for your inspiration! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  13. Have a wonderful time in the mountains Janet!!

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  14. THanks for telling me about this. I see it is at a store in my city. It's a bit of a drive but I'll definitely try it. I'm a vegetarian...but I have a hard time giving up cheese. So will be happy to find this.

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  15. I was a very happy vegan for about 30 years but a very overweight one, I could easily go back to it, that's the food I'm naturally drawn too, I'd just have to savvy up nutrition wise. I have to say my being vegan had nothing to do with the morality behind it, I just struggle to eat animal protein as I'm easily put off.

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  16. You're probably sleeping in a tent this very moment.

    Hope you're loving your weekend.

    GG is v. jealous.

    xo Jane

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  17. Hi Janet,
    So happy to read your post!S I so look forward to trying this product!
    Happy weekend xo
    Trina

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  18. Hi Janet,

    Not only is Daiya the best tasting vegan cheese, it's truly vegan. Many of the other cheese like products saying they are vegan aren't vegan. They contain casein. I've been a vegan for years, but I still read product labels. It's amazing how often casein or milk solids are including in foods that you would never thing should contain any milk product. My favorite books for the vegan curious are The China Study (which Mr. Clinton credits for his veganism), The Kind Life Diet(also a blog), Veganist along with many documentaries Like "Forks Over Knives". I'm lucky, I live in Portland, Oregon....one of the most vegan friendly cities in the US. No problem vegan grocery shopping or finding yummy vegan restaurants here. Portlanders are vegans and proud!

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  19. That pizza look yummy indeed as do all your foodie post pictures.
    comfort food involves cheese for me but I am on a health kick these days and have been avoiding it.

    Have fun on your hike in the mountains.

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  20. I looked at the daiya website and found out what is NOT included in their "cheese" but not what IS.

    Do you know what the ingredients are?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Anonymous June 9, 2012 10:11 AM,

      Here's a site that lists the ingredients in the Daiya cheeses:
      http://blog.onespotallergy.com/2011/12/daiya-vegan-cheese-ingredients-allergen-information/

      KO

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    2. Titanium dioxide? No, thank you.

      Delete
    3. It's used in many foods to whiten (skim milk, M&M's the list goes on) and therefore obviously considered safe to eat by some supposed authority. But to each his own whether you choose to ingest it.

      Delete
    4. exactly. titanium dioxide is in thousands of foods. almost impossible to avoid if you eat anything out of a package. it is a personal choice to make. i happen to eat it rarely.

      Delete
  21. Becoming a vegan is much easier than you might think because food cravings go away, it is easier to lose weight and keep it off, you sleep better, you feel better, you have more energy, real food tastes better, your aches and pains go away, you realize that you are battling against almost all the chronic diseases which plague our society and you are not contributing to animal suffering and finally it actually costs less to eat vegan-!!!

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  22. Janet,

    My daughter agrees with you...Daiya is the best. I need to try it, I think the cost has kept me from buying it...also convincing hubby to eat it might prove to be difficult. :/

    Linda
    xo

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  23. Will you make this for me when I come over for lunch? :) My craving for good cheese has not yet gone away after years of not eating dairy ... finding a good one has also been one of my biggest challenges.

    Hope you're having fun on all your adventures! Talk to you soon.

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  24. I am not a vegan but I had to eat a completely dairy and casein-free diet for a very long time and I found cheese to be the hardest thing. We didn't have Daiya in Australian then (or even now?) and I can't have much/any soy so the replacement cheese were off the table for me too. I found a recipe for different cheese replacements using agar agar. I still have the links somewhere, I will find them and share for you x

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  25. Please tell us your recipe for pizza. i would love to know what the crust is and what you added as toppings. i'm new to this stuff and need to be tutored. your blog is very inspiring and i wish i had a jack black t-shirt. $5...really?

    miss kathy b

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i just used a trader joes crust and brushed it with a little olive oil and put chopped green and yellow zucchini with some fresh herbs on top. just to be clear, it's jack white - not jack black.:)

      Delete
  26. I know alot of folks say they can't give up cheese and there is a reason for that. Cheese contains natural morphine that Mother Nature intended to soothe, calm and satiate baby cows. Well it works on human brains too making people happy, but also addicted. I wasn't a cheese head, but my husband struggled a little with giving up cheese. But it's not inpossible. His love of cheese didn't trump his desire to stop the horrors of mass dairy production and animal torture. My cooking and eating has changed so much that I rarely even use Daiya cheese, only when I make a homemade pizza, maybe once or twice a month. The world is full of such wonderful foods, go out and experiment!

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    Replies
    1. well said. i'm not a huge fan of substitute foods either. fresh is always best but once in awhile it's cool to use.

      Delete
  27. This bread looks absolutely delicious Janet!

    Happy new week!

    Madelief x

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  28. I made pizza with the mozzarella Daiya cheese and sauteed wild mushrooms, thinly sliced shallot, a drizzle of truffle oil on the crust...it was so good and my 13 year old son kept saying how much he LOVED the mozzarella.
    xo
    annie

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    Replies
    1. so glad you tried it and patrick liked it. he's so smart.
      did you like it annie? your pizza sounds amazing, will have to try it.

      Delete
  29. You must have so much self control to be a vegan, I just can't go past bacon...

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  30. That pizza looks absolutely delicious! I had no idea that Michelle Pfeiffer was a vegan! x

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  31. Not self-control, self-preservation! Try an In & Out, veggie (hamburger without the meat) sandwich, animal style, grilled onions...then you'll know that you will never miss the meat given great preparation and combined veggie and fruits. Eliminate the whites...bread, rice, sugar, and potatoes =no overweight vegans! If someone had told me a couple of years ago that Kale and Cauliflower would be my new favorite foods, I would have thought that someone to be out of their mind...being a vegan is not sitting down to a plate of steamed vegetables, meal-after-meal. B O R I N G... It sounds like such a cliche' to say that the fresh veggies and fruit energize you...it's true. Have a Dr. Oz-ish, veggie with a little fruit, drink for breakfast and vegan the rest of the day, add nuts, and Janet's recipes for dinner and you will watch the weight just melt off. It truly is amazing. My numbers changed just like Michelle's and my husband says that my 'cooking' is better than ever!
    Do it for you. The side benefits that you help local farmers, small entrepreneurs, the environment and yes, the animals, will sustain you. It is complex to understand all of the reasons, herein, take notes from these great comments. There is so much valuable info out there...we started with the audio of Omnivores Dilemma...that will open your eyes and your mind. Happy vegan-eatin'!
    PS: Janet your Sierra photo is fantastic!
    xoxo, Chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. gurl, i could not be any more pleased right now. you said it and you said it well!

      Delete
  32. I read something today...Lord only knows where, about cheese from Cashews! Very curious!!! xo

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  33. I must try this cheese* !!! I have been vegetarian for the last 7 years and now have gone vegan so have tried a few fake cheeses but didn`t like any of them. Hope this one will change that! Love your style and the fact that your vegan - a rare combination in bloggers. And the article about Vintage Vixen is lovely too - I adore her style)

    >'.'<

    ReplyDelete
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