A couple of weeks ago, I was struck by an intense craving for a bagel and cream cheese. I love toasted whole wheat bagels with crispy edges and chewy centers. Topped with rich smooth cream cheese, with its unique tang and savoriness, this is the perfect combination. It was also a not infrequent part of my pre-vegan life. While living in Boston and working on my master’s degree, I practically lived in coffee shops and bagels were a primary form of sustenance; they’re more substantial and dinner-like than a muffin and a cup of tea.
But, now that I have embraced a vegan diet, cream cheese doesn’t really fit. Yet, I felt profoundly sad thinking I would have to go the rest of my life without the joy of a warm bagel and cream cheese. Somehow a bagel with peanut butter, or jam, just didn’t seem like it would satisfy my craving. But, as with many vegan friendly products, I’m a little afraid of them. This is crazy, because these are foods made of plants, not the byproducts of unidentifiable animals. Recently, someone asked me what is the weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten. I had a hard time deciding which was stranger; eating meat off the ribs of pigs, or eating cream cheese made of tofu. In the end, I’m more bewildered by the ribs. A warm, toasted bagel spread with Tofutti cream cheese fulfilled all my bagel needs.
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