How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Vida Vegan Con

Waffle from Flavour Spot courtesy of Jill from Vegan Cuts

I am thrilled to have been present at the first ever Vida Vegan Conference for vegan bloggers in Portland, OR, at the end of August. I was there representing Panda With Cookie (as I am the only panda with cookie) but I arrived early to hang out in Portland and enjoy the multitude of food and activities planned. I spent my first few days roaming the SE and NE neighborhoods to get my scone and waffle fix.  I was able to grab a late breakfast at the Flavour Spot Waffle Cart which has 3 locations and some damn fine vegan waffle options.

The fabulous Native Bowl food cart courtesy of Jill at Vegan Cuts

Anyone who talked to me for more than five minutes learned of my obsession with the scones from Dovetail Bakery and they did not disappoint with a blackberry jam option the morning of my visit. I also organized a trip up to Native Bowl on Friday afternoon to hit up the food cart owned by Julie Hasson and finally get a Broadway Bowl for lunch. It may have been a bit out of the way from the con location but it was absolutely worth the trip.

While at the con, I got to meet a bunch of bloggers I love, such as Mo from Mo Betta Vegan, Amey from Vegan Eats and Treats, Bianca from Vegan Crunk, Kristina from SpaBettie and Marika from the Madcap Cupcake.  Due to my tabling responsibilities I only attended 3 panels, the Vegan Battle Royale (Team

Vegan Battle Royale courtesy of Vegan Crunk

Vegan Destroyer!), Terry Romero’s talk about storytelling and blogging and the Reality, Identity and Blogging panel. Vegan Battle Royale was pure fun. The other two talks had some good information for me as I work to keep this new blog relevant and interesting for my readers.

A highlight for me was the Saturday night Galarama that helped to raise funds for the fabulous Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.  Jenny Brown is one of the best advocates for the animals that I have met and it was a pleasure to be there and see her again.

The organizers are planning the next event for 2013.  I will be there, searching out the scones high and low.

Thanks to both Vegan Cuts and Vegan Crunk for use of their photos.