Vegan

1 can regular coconut milk (13.5 oz.) 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons agave syrup 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 1. Whisk ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Let chill in refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight. 2. Add to ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's directions. When done, transfer to container and let freeze for a minimum of 2 hours before serving. From Ross Olchvary, Sprig & Vine Per serving: 334 calories, 2 grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams sugar, 23 grams fat, no cholesterol, 98 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fibers

KRISTIN LAJEUNNESSE can't be the only person who's ever thought of traveling the United States eating at every vegan restaurant. But she's the one who's actually doing it, in a project called "Will Travel for Vegan Food. " Her journey began last fall, and in March she came through Philadelphia. I interviewed her afterward to get an outsider's perspective on our veg scene. Q: How did this go from "crazy idea" to a reality of your daily life? A: I was ready to start living these "dreams" I had. I left my 9-to-5 job, set up a social-media consulting business, spent a few months planning the trip and securing a van, started a Kickstarter project to help fund gas and food, and then . . .I was off!

TIME WAS, a chef could do one thing exceedingly well and make a name. But chefs and eateries in Philadelphia are starting to take pride in their versatility, adapting their cuisine to specialized needs. And yes, a big one is plant-based eating. Derek Davis, whose restaurant, Derek's, is a fine-dining fixture in Manayunk, told the Daily News earlier this month: "When I look at my menu, I see we're lacking things that are strictly vegetables, without any dairy, without any animal fats.

"A LOT of people might be very surprised at the number of African Americans who are health-conscious and who are vegan," Evelyn Redcross said. She wasn't kidding. I've been told, straight-faced, that "black vegans" are nonexistent, since the "veggie" thing is just spoiled white college kids acting out. But there are many reasons and rationales for eating vegan and vegetarian. Redcross believes a more health-conscious attitude in her own community is helping bring people out to the vegan brunch she and her husband, Mercer, throw nearly every Sunday at the 7165 Lounge, their banquet facility in the former North by Northwest on Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy.

FOR IDEAS as well as for individuals, New Year's is big-picture time: Where have we been, and where do we hope to go? As for the cause of animal-free eating, now that it's moved from weirdo fringe to an almost-mainstream concept, it's a good time to ask: Is this idea finally catching on? Maybe that's wishful thinking, but 2011 was a pretty big year for the plant-based diet: * A new study indicated that twice as many people are eating vegan compared with a couple of years ago. * Oprah Winfrey and her 378 staffers went vegan for a week, and other talk shows had strong coverage as well.

THE HOLIDAYS are here, and with them, holiday celebrations. Which is great, because if there's one thing vegans know how to do, it's PARTY! What? What'd I say??? OK, I know the stereotype. But we're not all pious and self-righteous - not all the time, anyway! We make time for our fave social activity: stuffing ourselves with animal-free food. And yes, in a lot of cases, drink! Don't take my word for it. Check out these recent cookbooks touting veggie special occasions.

FREE THANKSGIVING turkeys! Who wouldn't agree to that? Unfortunately, freeing Thanksgiving turkeys is both difficult and illegal - but you can "free" the one on your table this year with a turkey-free dinner. I know, turkey-free Thanksgiving is sacrilege to some, but others are snapping up the new products being introduced to fill a compassionate holiday platter. Of these, Turtle Island Foods' Tofurky has been around for decades - long enough that the misnomer "tofurkey" is often seen referring to any meatless turkey substitute.

IF VEDGE, the "vegetable restaurant," wasn't Philadelphia's most highly anticipated unveiling when announced, it surely is by now. Despite early promises of a "late summer" debut, it will still be a week and a half (or so) before Philadelphians can try this next step from the people behind Horizons. So what took so long? "It's excruciating," chef/co-owner Rich Landau admitted last week. "We wanted to be open a month ago, and I can only send out my apology to anyone who's missed a special date or an experience at Horizons or Vedge.

FALAFEL IS the original veggie fast food, and with the rising interest in plant-based eating, it's no wonder that fast-food falafel is taking over Center City. The spiced-up chickpea-ball sandwich has been around since antiquity, and it seems like the King of Falafel cart at 16th and JFK has been around nearly as long. The options are limited, but the King's delicious falafel wraps garner long lunchtime lines. Recently, though, fast-food falafel storefronts are challenging the King with their own fanciful takes on the pocket meal.

EVER since the problem with the teen mobs began, I've been trying to figure out what went wrong. It finally dawned on me. Some wise people decided it was against the law to spank your child. Children began to threaten their parents that they would dial 911 if they hit them or even spoke to them in a manner of authority. But it wasn't abuse, it was love with a capital "L. " There were far fewer of us in juvenile hall, prison and homes for wayward children. These roaming mobs destroying property, stealing and harming people are far worse than a spanking.