Sweets to the Sweet – Vegan of Course

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I would be remiss in my romantic and culinary duties if I did not pay homage to the tradition of showering your Valentine with sweet treats on this day of amour.
The tradition of giving sweets for Valentine’s Day started sometime back in the 15th century with the first heart shaped chocolates being produced by Richard Cadbury in the late 1800s.
But what’s a vegan to do? Happily we live in a time and a place where we have great vegan options all around us.  Phoenix is now home to a few independently-owned vegan bakeries. I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of them, Sweet Asylum Bakery.
Sweet Asylum is a sister-owned business in an unassuming strip mall in Phoenix.  Amy, a former schoolteacher and raw chef and her sister Rose, the creative baking force, opened the bakery this past December. The warm and welcoming personalities of the owners make this a great place to gather and hang out.
All of their products are gluten-free and vegan. Take one bite of their luscious cupcakes and you will feel the delicious and decadent love. They are very moist and flavorful thanks to the addition of pureed fresh fruits, fruit juices and zests. There are no artificial flavorings.
On Valentine’s Day Sweet Asylum is hosting the AE Art Valentine’s Day Reception, featuring original artwork of resident artist Amy Eichsteadt. Amy’s fun and colorful style is reflected in the décor of the bakery, making it homey and bright.
The reception includes local wines, artisan hors d’oeuvre and a Valentine’s dessert table. Tickets can be purchased online or at the bakery. There will be a raffle to win an AE Art original signature cupcake painting or a Sweet Asylum Sweetheart Box.
Perhaps you want to spend the evening alone with your honey. No problem! You can order some of their special Valentine’s treats to take home. The heart-shaped Valentine Whoopie is adorable and will surely pull at the heartstrings of your sweetheart. They also offer heart-shaped cookies, raw blueberry chocolates and a variety of cakes and cupcakes. You can order online, over the phone or in person at their storefront.
The East Valley is home to vegan confectionary creator, Rima Mehta of O’Chocolade. O’Chocolade is a spin off of Rima’s business, The Easy Nutrition, where she offers nutritional counseling, healthy weight loss programs and yoga classes.
Sweet treats and good health do not have to be mutually exclusive as she proves with her raw, chocolate truffles and brittles. She uses only raw chocolate to maintain the healthy nutritional advantages of the chocolate. Agave and stevia are used for sweeteners, making her products suitable for diabetics.
For Valentine’s Day, O’Chocolade will be featuring raw chocolate covered strawberries. They are offering special Valentine’s Day packaging and personal delivery for all orders placed by February 10th. Supplies are limited, so make sure to place your order early by ordering online.
It’s an exciting thing to be able to treat your sweetie to some fabulous treats that just happen to be vegan and gluten-free. You can also feel great about supporting local businesses. Feel the love in the air and in your tummy.
Sweet Offerings
Sweet Asylum Bakery and Treats
10880 N 32nd Street Suite 39
Phoenix, AZ
623-850-3506
www.thegreenasylum.com
AE Art – Amy Eichsteadt
www.facebook.com/AmyEichsteadtArt
O’Chocolade
No storefront
480-326-0138
www.rimamehta.wix.com
www.theeasynutrition.com
Nami
2014 N 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-258-NAMi
www.tsoynami.com
Treehouse Bakery
1348 W Roosevelt Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
480-560-5233
Wei of Chocolate
No storefront
602-577-2338
www.weiofchocolate.com