Veg Out

What people, places, businesses and initiatives made Toronto better for vegans in 2025? The Veg Out crew put together our top ten (in no particular order!) list and we're spotlighting them on this week's episode.

Links:

Lauren Toyota

Wishbone Animal Rights Lab

Wishbone Animal Rights Lab on Veg Out

Animal Liberation Kitchen

Aunty Em's

Honey's Ice Cream

Toronto Public Library

Plant Curious Deals

Vegan Meetup

Veggie in the 6ix

Credits:

Hosts: Barbi, Jen, Jeanette and Sweta

Editor: Jeanette

Theme: Matt Judge

Social Media: Jen

Regan Russell was a dedicated animal rights activist who was tragically killed in 2020 after being struck by a pig transport truck outside a slaughterhouse. On this episode, we talk with Ray Cruzzola, director of the documentary I’m Trying, which honors Regan’s inspiring life and activism through the voices of her friends and family. Join us as we explore Regan’s story and the film’s powerful message of hope for anyone interested in joining the animal rights movement.

Links:

I’m Trying film (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/share/1D4Aaha1H2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I’m Trying film (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/imtryingfilm?igsh=MXY5YWN0a2dha3A4

Credits:

Guest: Ray Cruzzola

Cohosts: Sweta and Jen

Editing: Sweta

Episode Summary: Jen

Theme Music: Matt Judge

Towards Ahimsa Secondary School is a non-profit, fully accredited, independent secondary school operating out of the GTA. On this episode we interview one of the co-founders, Ambika Jain, who tells us how the school works, what inspired it, and how to get involved.

Links:

https://www.imjmcanada.org/tass

Credits:

Guest: Ambika Jain

Hosts: Barbi and Steve

Editing: Sweta

Episode Summary: Barbi

Theme Music: Matt Judge

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed at the grocery store as a vegan trying to read labels and figure out what to feed your family, what to feed yourself, and how to find the best vegan products out there, or accidentally vegan products, this is the episode for you. Kimberly is the brains behind the instagram account @Accidentally_Vegan_Canada. She joins us to share tips on label reading, navigating the grocery store, and what products are amazingly and surprisingly accidentally vegan.

Links:

Animal Liberation Kitchen Holiday Market

@Accidentally_Vegan_Canada⁠

Summary: Jeanette

Social Media: Jen

Editing: Jeanette

Theme: Matt Judge

On this episode, we compare the classic pepperoni and cheese pizza, vegan of course, from five different pizza chain restaurants. We rank everything from crust and sauce to overall flavour to see which chain delivers the most satisfying plant-based slice. Who will win the Great Vegan Pizza Taste Test?

Links:

241 Pizza

Panango

Pizzaiolo

Pizza Nova

Pizza Pizza

Credits:

Hosts: Barbi, Jeanette, Sweta and Rajiv

Description: Jeanette

Editing: Jeanette

Theme: Matt Judge

On this episode, we are chatting about some of latest animal issues happening in the province. We touch on such topics as the recent exposure of dog experimentation research in London and the fate of the remaining whales and dolphins at Marineland. We also explore the opinions provided by province on these issues and their impact, if any, on their outcomes. 

Credits:

Cohosts:Sweta and Jen

EpisodeSummary: Jen

Editing:Sweta

ThemeMusic: Matt Judge

Links:

Bad Attitude at Outpost Coffee  https://badattitudebread.ca/https://outpostcoffee.com

Dollarama stops selling glue traps https://www.peta.org/news/dollarama-glue-trap-ban/

Aunty Em’s Holiday Pop-Up https://www.instagram.com/p/DQaHEIokX2W/

Soy Boys opening in Leslieville https://www.instagram.com/p/DQVibGQDnnx/

On this episode, we are joined by Lesley Sampson from  Coyote Watch Canada. which is an all-volunteer Not-For-Profit wildlife organization that advocates positive human-wildlife coexistence with a focus on canids. We learn all about coyotes, why they are important, and how we can help them in our communities.

Links:

New vegan items at Ikea Canada

Halloween at the Farm

International Vegan Film Festival

Ecofair Toronto

Toronto Climate Week Challenge

Credits:

Hosts: Jeanette and Barbi

Guest: Lesley Sampson, Co-Founding Executive Director at Coyote Watch Canada

Summary: Jeanette

Editing: Jeanette

Theme: Matt Judge

On this episode, Sweta and Barbi share their favourite vegan YouTube channels, from local cookbook authors to famous vegan chefs. Hear about the channels they watch for recipes, travel tips, nutrition info, and more.

Credits:

Hosts: Barbi and Sweta

Summary: Barbi

Editing: Sweta

Theme music: Matt Judge

Why eat one, and love the other? For vegans, it is simple. We love all animals! Companion animals share our homes and are in our hearts, and on this episode, we offer advice about pet ownership, and share stories of our beloved dogs, cats and rabbits that have been part of our lives over the years.

Links:

The Vegan Pantry in Barrie is now The Gentle Crumb

U of T Law School Animal Law Program

10th Anniversary of Kindness at Sweet Acres Pig Sanctuary

The Walrus Talks: The Power of Animals

Thistledown Pet Memorial

Credits:

Hosts: Steve, Sweta and Jeanette

Summary: Jeanette

Editing: Jeanette

Theme music: Matt Judge

Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary provides a place of peace and safety for lemurs and monkeys that have been rescued from various industries, such as the exotic pet trade, research laboratories, roadside zoos and show business. On this episode, we talk with Executive Director and Co-owner, Daina Liepa, who shares with us the history of the sanctuary and highlights the numerous issues surrounding these industries. Join us as we learn about the rescue stories of the residents, as well as the incredible work of the Story Book Farm team, whose compassion and dedication enable these beautiful beings to finally experience the freedom of choice, the freedom from fear, and a chance to heal. 

Links:

Save Boogie: Lonely Monkey Self Harms at Roadside Zoo

Peterborough Veg Fest (Sep 14)

VegTO Fest (Sep 20 and 21)

Caked Coffee Burlington

Yves Cuisine Discontinuing

Credits:

Guest: Daina Liepa, Executive Director and Co-owner of Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary (@storybookmonkeys)

Cohosts: Jen and Jeanette

Editing: Jeanette

Episode Summary: Jen

Theme Music: Matt Judge