Un Vegan Monde: The Vegan Corner Grocery Store of Dreams

I stopped inside Un Vegan Monde, an all vegan grocery store a short distance away from the Centre Pompidou. It was an amazing sight, a store where there were no bloody carcasses hanging in freezers or dairy free cheeses mingling with the cow and goat products. It was a place that I could see myself shopping every week, swinging along my reusable tote among the four aisles. I had only heard of vegan grocery stores being a huge thing in Berlin, Germany. To see this in Paris, in a cheese and egg loving society, it was a refreshing step back.

For starters, I had never seen so many different brands of vegan cheese in one place. There were up to eight sections of shreds, blocks, and slices. With no Daiya of Field Roast Chao in sight, the only North American import was the So Delicious Shreds and several kinds of Tofutti cream cheese.

There is probably about twenty-five kinds of Violife, one of UK's most popular vegan cheese brands. Cheddar, Mozzarella, Original, With Hot Peppers, With Herbs, With Mushrooms, and Organic Style all come in wedges, slices, and blocks.

I purchased one of the Violife holiday After Dinner flavors-- a blueberry speckled creamy white cheese. I haven't tried it yet, but already imagining that it would a lovely breakfast component on a hot, toasted bagel melting alongside a generous portion of  Bonne Maman's Blueberry Preserves.

Chocolate candy delights.

Cakes, muffins, and bread loaves. Most were on sale for 10-20% off. I grabbed a four pack of croissants and apple bar cookies.

As I laid on the hostel bed munching on these delightful treasures, things that I longed to have again,  I imagined a store like this in Philadelphia, a small store in a corner someplace that sold only plant based options. Honestly, I am quite sick of Whole Foods Market's disgusting displays, or the crammed fake meats situated among the dead realities at Trader Joe's and other sad sights among my grocery store shopping. Un Vegan Monde was what I wanted to be present for the rest of my days. It's every vegan dream come true.

Vegan Mofo Post #14: Tis The Season Grocery Hauls, Birthday Cards, and Self Love Presents

At Trader Joe's, I picked up favorite seasonal items: Pumpkin Bagels, Pita Crisps with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Spice, and Lentil Soup. I also picked up a basil plant! Tofu Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce and Soft & Juicy Mango are my usuals.

Pumpkin! I had visited Trader Joe's three times prior. It didn't take til the fourth visit for my pumpkin treats to be in stock.

Basil! Look how beautiful and green it is. I hope it can somehow last through winter. Until then, I look forward to cutting leaves and making pesto. 

Birthday cards from my Ohio gals.

Fun! Fun!

I bought the 20th anniversary edition of Bic Runga's "Drive," one of my favorite albums. Also, realized that I almost forgot what a physical CD felt like.

Remember these booklets with nice pictures and such inside? Wow!

I love the copy of her handwritten scrawl of "Swim" lyrics, my favorite song of hers.

Three years later, back to checking out books and media, after finally paying off my library fine. I promise to return my things on time and not hoard them as if the ten cents and dollar fines don't add up. It's a privilege to utilize the library.

New face and body treats: Valentina's Naturals Refreshing Body Mist makes you smell like sweet oranges and Dickinson's Witch Hazel with Aloe has been a great face/scalp cleaner.