The KInd Life Community Forum

Hey! And coincidence that we are both named Gabriel(l)a and in the GTA and on this forum.

I'm fairly new to the vegan lifestyle so I'm still looking around for good stores. For now, I've been frequenting the Whole Foods market in Yorkville (There are also locations in Oakville and soon to be in Square One in Mississauga) and sometimes Panacea Eco Shop on Bloor and Palmerston Rd. There is also The Big Carrot on the Danforth (Completely organic market) as well, though I have not been there yet.

I find though that a lot of your essentials (At least for me) can be found in regular grocery stores, like Loblaws or Longos. In their organics section, you have great tofu (I really like Soyganic superfirm)/tempeh, and non-dairy milks (I LOVE Silk's True Almond brand). You can also grab local Ontario produce from there, important if you are on the superhero stage. Once the Farmer's Market starts up again at Square One/Sherway Gardens though, that place is IDEAL for produce on the weekend.

Right now, my vegan pantry essentials are:

-Soyganic superfirm tofu

-almond milk (Silk True Almond)

-Whole grain bread/pasta

-avocados, sweet potatoes and many other veggies

-Assorted fruit

-Spices other than salt and pepper

This is not including some of the vegan treats I've been trying ( eg. Late July Organic Dark Chocolate sandwich cookies are amazing) but it's pretty basic, especially for a student with not much money.

I've lived in Toronto for two years and was a vegetarian for 3 years and have been vegan for 2 months now and I find a lot of my ingredients at loblaws but the more odd ingredients like the seaweeds, mochi, certain vegetables..etc I buy at whole foods. I'm in love with whole foods, it has so much variety!!!

hope that helps!!

Hi, I am late to this post but have just signed up. Still flirting but heading in the right direction. You can probably find burdock root at P.A.T. A Korean grocery store on Bloor, west of little Italy. I forget exactly where, my car just kind of goes on its own now:) and they have one in Mississauga on Dundas east of 10. I would bet they have lotus root too, I know they have it as a side dish/pickle, ready made, in a sweet soy dressing. Kind of what is in TKD, but they proabably use corn syrup. They have Korean miso, soybean paste, called deon jang. (and they carry the japanese versions as well). And Wakame is called Miyeok, nori is called kim, and it comes in sheets you would use for rolls and sheets you would use for just " snacking" or to wrap rice. In the refrigerated section they also have pickles, but some of them may have a bit of sugar.. As someone who is just leaning/flirting I would get them for the ease of having it. Anyway hope this info helps.