I have just been given the chance to review a digital copy of Vegetarian Times (US version), with my subscription provided courtesy of Zinio USA, a digital magazine subscription service. And even better, Zinio have offered me 8 subscriptions of Vegetarian Times to giveaway to lucky readers of Chocolate and Beyond!
I currently have the December issue of Vegetarian Times, and it is packed with - as far as I can tell - mostly vegan recipes. This is good news :) Especially, I like the fact that I notice some well-known vegan names on the editorial and staff of the magazine, including Ann Gentry as executive chef - the person who came up with the wonderful cashew cheese I always rave about, and who owns the Real Food Daily restaurant.
I especially like this December seasonal issue, as with Christmas around the corner, I've been searching for some really excellent recipes to enjoy for our Christmas dinner - and there is a recipe feature on five different things to do with Brussels sprouts, other than just boil them! (I normally steam then char in coconut oil in the frying pan). Some of the sprout recipes would need to be veganised though.
There is an amazing recipe for a holiday gravy which involves potatoes, although I am still undecided as to whether I am going to make a sweeter, red wine type of gravy this year.
I like the tamales article too, for something a little different. I have never tried making tamales and actually didn't even know what they were until recently, so I was happy to see this feature devoted to them, mostly vegan recipes with just a couple that could easily be veganised. And there are loads of fabulous sweet treats recipes too.
Vegetarian Times doesn't just focus on food and recipes, but health and animal issues too. Some of the articles focus on one food as a 'healing food' or with ways to use that food. Also, on the health side of things, Dr Neal Barnard, president of PCRM, has a column in the magazine called 'Ask the Doc'. Though it strikes me as odd that any magazine which includes a spread about animal charities, featuring farmed animal sanctuaries in particular, also promotes the cruelty of dairy products in some of its recipes.
Even if the magazine was afraid to call itself 'Vegan Times' (I know negative perceptions on veganism mean people don't want to embrace the word), it could still resolve to only publish vegan recipes and be consistent with an anti-cruelty message - otherwise, it sends a confusing message. The fact is, there is no such thing as 'ethical vegetarianism', just as there is no such thing as 'ethical meat-eating'. Cruelty and exploitation are involved always.
But - as far as recipes go, the magazine does have many great vegan ones as I mentioned, and the ones that aren't, seem to be fairly easy to veganise. So while there is little else choice for vegans in the form of a mainstream foodie magazines, I would recommend Vegetarian Times.
Using Zinio
In regard to using Zinio as a digital reader and subscription service, it seems pretty easy to get to grips with. Easy to page turn, zoom, and generally the magazine is very readable.
You can download your magazine so that you can access it when offline, and also there is a Zinio app which enables you to get your magazine subscription on your smartphone. This means it would make it easier to follow recipes in your kitchen. Obviously the lesser portablility is one of the drawbacks of having a digital copy of a food magazine over a paper one.
If you don't have a smartphone or don't want to get your phone or laptop covered in bits of food as you cook, there is a page print option so favourite recipes could be printed out.
And subscribing digitally to magazines means paper-saving and better for the environment, as well as space-saving - you can store your mags for future use, without cluttering your home too much.
How to win!
So how can you win one of eight 12-month digital subscriptions to Vegetarian Times magazine?
1. Click 'LIKE' on the Chocolate and Beyond Facebook page
2. Leave a comment below THIS post to say you have 'liked' the Chocolate and Beyond page.
3. Ensure when you leave your comment, you provide your full name and email.
PLEASE NOTE : DO NOT leave your email address written into the comment, just ensure it is included in the form part when you leave the comment. I don't want a list of published, public email addresses in my comments section, because there's no other surer way of you ending up receiving spam from other sources I can't control! Any email addresses you leave privately with me will NOT be passed to third parties. Ever.
So - that's all you have to do! Get 'liking' the Chocolate and Beyond page, tell me below that you have done so and want to enter the competition, and make sure you do this before the 31st December 2012 at 23.59 GMT (1 minute before New Year!).
Winners will be drawn at random and informed on the 4th January 2013. And then if you're one of the eight lucky winners, you can start the new year with some fab new recipe ideas with your free digital subscription!
Zinio December offer - 50% off selected subscriptions!
If you don't manage to win a digital subscription to Vegetarian Times, don't fret! Zinio have a great offer for December 2012, with 50% off selected magazine subscriptions, including Vegetarian Times. Just CLICK HERE to sign up for the offer before the end of December.
Terms & Conditions (that is, the small print)
1. The final date of entry is 23.59 hous GMT on 31st December 2012. No entries can be considered after this.
2. You must follow the steps as described to enter. If not fully carried out, your entry is invalid.
3. Only one entry per person is allowed.
4. The judge’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. The prize cannot be exchanged or transferred and no cash alternative will be offered.
5. The prize is subject to availability by the sponsor. No responsibility can be taken by Chocolate and Beyond on when the prizes reach you. Once the competition closes the prize responsibility is entirely in their hands.
6. The prize draw winners will be randomly selected.
7. The competition is open to entries worldwide.
8. No automated entries allowed. These will be disqualified.
I'm Andrea, and am obsessed with creating fabulous food. After I managed to ditch dieting, the reason Chocolate and Beyond was born, it seemed natural to evolve my site into a foodie blog. More so since I also ditched animal produce to be vegan. Now, I love showing how inventive cruelty-free cooking can be. And sometimes I like to rant, too. I wouldn't be myself otherwise :) x 
I follow Chocolate and Beyond and love your posts. Would like to be entered for an opportunity to receive Vegetarian Times Magazine. Thank you.
Posted by: Katharine Ferguson | December 18, 2012 at 02:35 PM
I already 'liked' Chocolate and Beyond long ago. :^) I pass on your links more than anyone I know. lol Really great work you do and so helpful to so many transitioning or already vegan. It would be nice to win, but I'll still love ya if I don't. haha Good luck to everyone else. :^)
Posted by: Colleen Murphy | December 18, 2012 at 02:44 PM
I follow you on Facebook, please add me to competition :-) Thank you !
Posted by: Olga Sniezko | December 18, 2012 at 02:51 PM
Love your posts. Please enter me into the competition :)
Posted by: Johan Agstam | December 18, 2012 at 02:55 PM
Andrea love your blogs and recipes, please include me in. xx
Posted by: Susan J Caldwell | December 18, 2012 at 02:59 PM
I already follow you, you inspire my hunger! Please count me in.
Posted by: Clare Birchenhough | December 18, 2012 at 03:16 PM
I follow you on Facebook, please add me to competition
Posted by: emma cella | December 18, 2012 at 04:22 PM
I'd love to win pls!
Posted by: Hannah | December 18, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Ahh I have figured it out hahaha.
Lovin this blog and your facebook page, and i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be entered into this contest!
Best of Luck to everyone!!!
Posted by: Colleen Orozco | December 18, 2012 at 04:24 PM
I'm in!
Posted by: Paul | December 18, 2012 at 04:26 PM
I like Chocolate and Beyond on FB! I would love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
Posted by: Beth Mickens | December 18, 2012 at 04:32 PM
I have liked chocolate and beyond, many thanks xxx
Posted by: E steel | December 18, 2012 at 04:47 PM
I liked Chocolate and Beyond a while ago and would love to be entered into the draw. Thanks. x
Posted by: Debz Williams | December 18, 2012 at 04:57 PM
Liked Chocolate and Beyond
Posted by: Anne Eames | December 18, 2012 at 05:57 PM
What a great competition- I've heard a lot about vegetarian times and that's brilliant that most of their recipes are vegan! I think it's great that magazines are doing online versions now- saving paper :)
Posted by: Emma | December 18, 2012 at 06:09 PM
Have liked. What a great prize. Good luck to everyone :) :D x Merry Christmas too
Posted by: Miss Tracy Hanson | December 18, 2012 at 06:50 PM
I follow you on Facebook and have shared the competition on Cake liberation Front. Great prize!
Posted by: Caroline | December 18, 2012 at 07:43 PM
Wonderful! I 'liked' C&B ages ago because it's brilliant. When you say leave your address - I'd rather not leave my postal address on a comment section that people can see, if that's OK, but I can provide it very easily if necessary. Best wishes. x
Posted by: Cathy Bryant | December 18, 2012 at 08:48 PM
I just liked your fb page. It would be nice to win and check out the magazine :-)
Posted by: Glenda Morlock | December 18, 2012 at 09:17 PM
@Cathy - Sorry, I just meant email address, which you do within the form part (not in the comment itself!). It's a digital subscription anyhow. Good luck! :)
Posted by: Andrea - Chocolate and Beyond | December 18, 2012 at 09:21 PM
have liked
Posted by: Caroline Higson | December 18, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Yay im in - i want to win - i like your page
Posted by: chelsea keene | December 18, 2012 at 10:08 PM
I have liked the facebook page! :)
Posted by: Angela McDonald | December 18, 2012 at 11:30 PM
I really really like your facebook page and have "liked" it. Please would you enter me for the Vegetarian Times Magazine competition. Thank you and seasons greetings
Posted by: Mary Brett | December 19, 2012 at 01:57 AM
I've liked the page!
Posted by: Harry Cross | December 19, 2012 at 07:57 AM
I have liked your page, please enter me into the competition
Posted by: Tamara Cooke | December 19, 2012 at 09:57 AM
done as claire samuel
[email protected]
claire woods
Posted by: claire woods | December 19, 2012 at 10:05 AM
I like the Chocolate and Beyond Facebook page
Facebook - Kirsty Fox
Twitter - @bloomingfox
Email - robertfox24[at]aol[dot]com
Posted by: Kirsty Fox | December 19, 2012 at 04:06 PM
lase enter me in this comp
Posted by: KATHY D | December 19, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Love your C and B page!
Posted by: Linzi Stirrup | December 20, 2012 at 02:27 PM
"Liked" and love!
Thank you, would LOVE to win!
Posted by: Valerie Davis | December 20, 2012 at 03:03 PM
I liked your page. Thanks so much for the chance to win, this is a great magazine but too expensive for me to subscribe too. Merry Xmas! :)
Posted by: Mandee @ Compelled By Words | December 21, 2012 at 06:57 PM
I like your page :)
Posted by: Catherine Catharcy Lapointe | December 21, 2012 at 06:59 PM
I liked your page.
Posted by: ALLISON SHIOZAKI | December 21, 2012 at 09:25 PM
'liked' the Chocolate and Beyond page.
Posted by: keren mary curran | December 21, 2012 at 10:09 PM
How fun, love contests. I liked the Chocolate and Beyond page!!!
Posted by: Jason Thompson | December 22, 2012 at 04:47 AM
I've liked it! Fingers crossed I'm picked out of the hat :D
Posted by: Niall Robb | December 23, 2012 at 12:49 AM
I've liked Chocolate and Beyond - fab prize!
Posted by: Christina Cooke | December 24, 2012 at 01:34 AM
Liked your page on facebook
Posted by: amymillband | December 24, 2012 at 07:23 AM
I have liked the facebook
Posted by: Filipa Alexandre | December 24, 2012 at 07:38 AM
liked on Facebook - Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Dawn C | December 24, 2012 at 08:58 AM
I have liked the Chocolate and Beyond page
Posted by: Alice Hindley | December 25, 2012 at 08:45 PM
I have 'liked' the Chocolate and Beyond facebook page.
Posted by: Susan El Carter | December 25, 2012 at 11:10 PM
xxx Liked xxx Merry Xmas
Posted by: Rebecca Thomas | December 26, 2012 at 04:29 PM
Hello, I've liked the Chocolate & Beyond Facebook page too :-)
Posted by: Francesca Light-Wilson | December 26, 2012 at 06:23 PM
I've liked!
Posted by: kathleen hooper | December 26, 2012 at 06:32 PM
I've liked
Posted by: ROS IRWIN | December 27, 2012 at 10:37 AM
I have liked the page!
Posted by: Isabel O'Brien | December 27, 2012 at 02:38 PM
Liked
Posted by: Philip Boyle | December 27, 2012 at 05:05 PM
Liked and shared
Posted by: Sheila Sloan | December 27, 2012 at 05:35 PM
I have liked chocolate and beyond and would like to be entered into your competition please (jbcomp85)
Posted by: Julie Brooke | December 27, 2012 at 06:07 PM
liked on fb
Posted by: Becky Downey | December 27, 2012 at 07:23 PM
Liked on FB, fab prize :)
Posted by: Kayleigh Mayhew87 | December 28, 2012 at 11:17 AM
fantastic price as I'm a vegetarian :) have liked thank you
[email protected]
@wild_coconut
Posted by: Kj1419 | December 28, 2012 at 03:19 PM
Liked Chocolate and Beyond page
Posted by: Jesse Partington | December 28, 2012 at 04:38 PM
liked Chocolate and Beyond :)
Posted by: Lucy J Morgan | December 28, 2012 at 08:51 PM
I like chocolate and beyond because the recipes are straightforward and suitable for most families!
Posted by: lynn neal | December 28, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Liked! :)
Posted by: Wendy Shippam | December 29, 2012 at 10:41 AM
i've liked your facebook page, please enter me into your competition, Many thanks x
Posted by: Lila B Taylor | December 29, 2012 at 05:06 PM
Liked and shared
Posted by: Clementina | December 29, 2012 at 06:41 PM
i liked the facebook page :)
Posted by: clare leahy | December 29, 2012 at 09:19 PM
I have 'liked' the Chocolate and Beyond page. Great prize you are giving away.
Posted by: VICTORIA SALTER | December 30, 2012 at 01:30 AM
I've liked the Chocolate and Beyond Facebook page =) Nowhere on the form to enter my email address, but I'm following you on Twitter, too, Andrea.
Posted by: Flightsideuk | December 30, 2012 at 08:28 AM
I have liked the Chocolate and Beyond FB page...
Posted by: Cat Adams | December 30, 2012 at 09:40 AM
I have liked the Chocolate and Beyond Facebook page
Posted by: joanne liddement | December 30, 2012 at 10:40 AM
I have liked the Chocolate and Beyond Facebook page. Would love to win the magazine sub as I am newly vegetarian and struggling for ideas.
Posted by: Ceri Kay | December 30, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Liked! nom, nom
Posted by: Stephen Postlethwaite | December 30, 2012 at 11:51 AM
I have liked the page. Please can you enter me into the competition. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Gary Topley | December 30, 2012 at 04:07 PM
I have liked the Chocolate and Beyond page :) I have been a vegetarian for 10 years and would love some new ideas x
Posted by: Rebecca | December 30, 2012 at 04:18 PM
Have liked the Chocolate and Beyond page
Posted by: Dee Sherwood Wallace | December 30, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Hi, have liked on Facebook & would love to enter.
Posted by: Sam Fernley | December 30, 2012 at 05:22 PM
I have liked your page on facebook and would love to be entered into the competition
Posted by: Anna Ling | December 30, 2012 at 06:17 PM
Liked on FB, please enter me in comp, thanks xx
Posted by: Sue Jackson | December 30, 2012 at 06:31 PM
I've liked on FB, thanks
Posted by: Siobhan | December 30, 2012 at 07:11 PM
Liked on facebook. Happy New Year!!
Posted by: inga | December 30, 2012 at 09:03 PM
Liked on facebook and would love to be entered in competition - have been vegetarian for 10 years now!
Posted by: [email protected] | December 30, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Following on Facebook, please can I enter the competition :)
Posted by: Kathryn Casbolt | December 31, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I've liked the Chocolate and Beyond page - and like the look of that cupcake on their profile picture - yum!
Posted by: sue willshee | December 31, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Liked on facebook. Great blog
Posted by: Alexander Jones | December 31, 2012 at 02:57 PM
Liked your page!
Posted by: Susan Reynolds | December 31, 2012 at 03:58 PM
Liked your facebook page!
Posted by: Natasha Corder | December 31, 2012 at 11:13 PM
I "liked" your FB page and would like to win a Veg. Times subscription. Thanks for a great blog!
Posted by: Isabella La Rocca | January 08, 2013 at 12:07 AM