I'd like to get people thinking about the diversity of vegan options available in Canberra. In this article I'd like to hopefully give ideas to those vegetarians that feel sometimes it is just a "little to hard" and particularly for those wannabe vegans that felt that vegetarianism is hard enough. So "A Vegan's Life"' will offer some inspiration.   Gorman House Epic may offer the Farmers' Market but Gorman House (the arts centre in Braddon on Ainslie Avenue) offers vegetarian and vegan treats on Saturdays. From about 10am 'til sometime after 2pm there is vegetarianfest on offer. Though none of the stalls are purely vegetarian they are more veg aware than most restaurants.

There are 3 longterm stall owners who have helped offer an oasis for vegan and vegetarians who have had a big Friday and are coming out of hibernation on cold winter mornings. There is also great cultural diversity on offer. Moreover, all the dishes are still offered at classic market prices. Sarah (a longtime Canberra vegetarian herself) runs "Ethiopian Healthy Choice." No points for guessing what style of cuisine she prepares. Other than offering the best dhal in Canberra (strictly the dish is known as miser wat, but it's still yummy) the pumpkin stew is also divine. There is a single meat dish but the rest are vegan. Heading over to the Americas, Gladys and Julio can help you with vegetarian and vegan choices at "Salvadorian Food". Their $5 pupusas are a classic cornstyle tortilla stuffed with cheese and beans made fresh to help entice the olfactory senses. Their tamales come in a vegan style at just $7. Of course everything is offered con salsa which is a piquant home brew that I often buy by the jar. For the truly devoted, Gladys has been known to help out vegan regulars with beanonly pupusas but this does put a serious strain on the bean supply :)

Trekking over to "Thai Food" both Kay and Sataporn (along with their families) are only to keen to help with vegan and vegetarian food. Their Pad Thai (at $5.50) is all vegan with a couple of different tofus and the obligatory salad with fresh mung spouts and coriander. The curry puffs and spring rolls (both 80c each) are a nice little entree. If it is a tight week between Austudy payments you can get rice and peanut sauce for just a couple of dollars (which is also a great entree or meal even as a treat!). With the remaining stalls there is always at least one vegetarian dish. This could be noodles at Chinese style stall, a vegetarian soup at "Real Soup" or even more recently Sudanese food with a number of vegetarian options. Anyway, vegetarians including us vegans can have a nice leisurely brunch feeling relaxed and satisfied.

Firstly, a reminder. This is a quick little article about living as a vegan in Canberra. I don't want vegetarians running away so it includes options for vegetarians as well. The ACT Vegetarian Society is a great place to interact with people covering the whole spectrum of vegetarianism. I'd like to get people thinking about the diversity of vegan options available in Canberra. What's more, this month I'm treading a fine line talking about some places that also serve meat. If you are wandering around town and in need of quick meal, then there are vegan options out there. I often don't find I'm in the mood for going to a place where in the end (after all the assurances to the contrary) I end up with something that has some animal product. We've all been there from broths to fish sauce to eggs and milk. Japanese & Korean A lot of people are scared of going to Japanese and Korean places particularly because of the presence of sashimi (this includes at least 1 Japanese vegan friend). What's more, nori rolls at many places use mayonnaise to increase the richness of the product.

There are at least two places I frequent for a quick takeaway or eat-in meal where this doesn't seem to be a problem. Sushi Sushi is a new sushi (yes, I can see you are surprised) place in Canberra. It's at the entrance to the Canberra Centre across from Superbarn. OK, they are new to Canberra and Sydney but there are quite a few in Melbourne. They have a few vegan nori rolls. None of the vegetarian rolls have mayonnaise and they are not prepared alongside the sashimi. They also have a couple of vegan inari options. An asparagus nori roll (with avocado and asparagus) and a couple of plain inarizushi (and of course a bit of soy sauce and wasabi) is $5.20. They have made a concious effort to provide assured vegan (and vegetarian) fare. Izumi are located in Garema Place and on Marcus Clarke St. They also have nonmayonnaise nori rolls and inari. Their Vegetarian Combo has noodles, tempura and dumplings, and is a nice hot meal on a cold winter's night. Halal & Kosher This is the one that surprises most people. Remember, we are trying to promote a nonanimal diet, and those that practice Islam and Judaism are at least conscious of food combining.

When they offer vegetarian food they mean it. It is normally also vegan. They will let you know since food combining is factored heavily in their social and religious beliefs. So, as long as you are not afraid to ask about what is in a dish, you'll be surprised by what is on offer. This will, of course, apply to travelling overseas. You may need to brush up on your Arabic and Hebrew, but they will not be confused by what you are really asking. Every country in the Middle East (including Egypt) seem to have their own slightly different type of falafel. With tahini or hummus, and a couple of vine leaves, you have an instant meal. Ali Baba are obviously all over Canberra. They make sure that utensils and preparation areas are exclusive for the different products on offer. So, there is little chance of contamination.

Hagi Baba is a surprise for many people. Down at Cooleman Court, Weston, they provide Lebanese cuisine. It's still funny hearing them apologise for taking a couple of extra minutes to cook fresh falafel it's the only way they'll serve it. Add a nice salad I'm a happy camper. In case you hadn't realised, I'm a falafel snob, so I expect it to be fresh, and it is! I've always considered a Middle Easter buffet as great party food. See it's easy being vegan and vegetarian!