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Indulge Without the Guilt: Vegan and Gluten-Free Homemade Rolo Knock-Offs

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oh she glows, cookbookNovember is Vegan Month, and it’s the perfect time to embrace plant-based recipes that satisfy your cravings without compromising your values. Today, I want to share – Homemade Rolo Knock-Offs! These little bites of chocolatey, caramel goodness are not only vegan and gluten-free but also packed with wholesome ingredients that will leave you feeling nourished and indulgent.

I first borrowed The oh she glows cookbook: vegan recipes to glow from the inside out by Angela Liddon from the BCIT Library in 2014 and made these for my book club. I needed snacks that were gluten free and vegan. Anyone can put out hummus, veggies, and gluten free crackers but this dessert stole the evening. Ten years on I am still making them.

Why Choose Vegan and Gluten-Free?

When it comes to indulging your sweet tooth, choosing plant-based, gluten-free options isn’t just about dietary preferences — it’s about making conscious choices for your health and the planet. These homemade Rolo knock-offs offer all the satisfaction of a candy bar without the dairy, refined sugars, or gluten found in traditional treats.

  1. Vegan-Friendly: The recipe uses wholesome ingredients like dates, coconut oil, and dairy-free chocolate to create a rich, decadent taste, without any animal products. You won’t miss the traditional caramel-filled center of a Rolo at all.
  2. Gluten-Free: Made with naturally gluten-free ingredients, these homemade candies are perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone following a gluten-free diet.
  3. Simple Ingredients: The five simple ingredients in this recipe (dates, almond butter, dairy-free chocolate, sea salt, and coconut oil) are wholesome and minimally processed, offering a healthier alternative to conventional candies.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 11 dates)
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter (or peanut butter)
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dairy-free (dark) chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • A pinch of flaky sea salt (for topping)

Step 1: Make the Caramel Filling

  • Start by soaking your dates in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them up. After draining, blend the dates, almond butter and a pinch of sea salt together in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
  • Freeze the sticky date caramel for 10 minutes to make it easier to work with.

Step 2: Form the Balls

  • Wet your hands and roll small spoonfuls of the caramel mixture into bite-sized balls and set them on a parchment-lined tray. Return to freezer while you do the next step.

Step 3: Coat with Chocolate

  • Melt your dairy-free chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a heatproof bowl over a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently. Once melted, dip each caramel ball into the chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated.
  • Place the chocolate-covered caramel balls back on the parchment paper.

Step 4: Add a Pinch of Sea Salt

  • Sprinkle a pinch of flakey sea salt on top of each chocolate-covered bite.

Step 5: Chill and Enjoy

  • Let the chocolate set by placing the tray in the freezer for at least 20 minutes, or until firm. Once chilled, your homemade Rolo knock-offs are ready to enjoy!

Tips for Success

  • Storage: They keep in the freezer very well. They are challenging to resist once you know they are there.
  • Presentation: These little candies make great homemade gifts! Package them in a small jar or box for a personal touch during the holiday season.

The end of November is fast-approaching. The season for holiday parties (and exams) are upon us. Treat yourself and your friends!

What are your favourite vegan treats to make during Vegan Month? Let us know in the comments below!

Embrace Veganism this November: A Journey Towards Sustainability

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Did you know that the meat industry is one of the leading contributors to climate change? Since 1994 November has been celebrated as vegan month, it’s crucial to understand the profound impact our dietary choices have on the planet. According to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock farming accounts for nearly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (FAO, 2013). In addition to emissions, animal agriculture is a significant driver of deforestation, with vast tracts of forest cleared for grazing land and feed crops, contributing to biodiversity loss (World Wildlife Fund, 2020). Nutrient runoff from livestock operations also pollutes waterways, affecting aquatic ecosystems (US EPA, 2021).

Switching to a plant-based diet not only helps mitigate these environmental issues but also promotes personal health and well-being. To kickstart your journey, here’s a simple and delicious recipe: Enlightened Miso Power Bowl (serves 2) from The Oh She Glows Cookbook  by Angela Liddon

Ingredients

1 sweet potato, cut into 1 cm rounds

1 ½ tsp olive oil or coconut oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 c quinoa, uncooked

1 c edamame, frozen, shelled, thawed

1 carrot, julienned

2 green onions, thinly sliced

¼ c cilantro leaves, chopped

1 tsp sesame seeds

1/4 c sprouts

Orange Maple Miso Dressing

3 Tbsp light miso

2 Tbsp rice vinegar

1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp tahini

1/4 c orange juice

1 Tbsp water

1 tsp maple syrup

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C), line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the sweet potato rounds on the baking sheet and drizzle the oil over, rub in the oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, flip over the slices and roast another 10 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
  2. Whisk the dressing ingredients together until smooth.
  3. Prepare the quinoa by first rinsing thoroughly. Then bring to a boil with 1 ½ c water, simmer for 15 to 17 minutes. Cover with a lid and let sit at least 5 minutes off the heat.
  4. To serve, divide the quinoa between 2 plates, season with salt and pepper, top with roasted sweet potato, carrots, edamame, green onion, cilantro, as well as sesame seeds and sprouts. Drizzle with the dressing and enjoy.

For more great vegan recipes check out the cookbooks behind the Reference desk on the main floor or the TX 837 section on the 3rd floor of the BCIT Library (Burnaby campus).

As you explore vegan options this month, remember that every bite counts. By choosing plant-based meals, you’re making a positive impact on the environment and your health. Let’s champion a sustainable future together!

References:

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2013). Tackling climate change through livestock. https://www.fao.org/3/a-i3437e.pdf

World Wildlife Fund. (2020). Deforestation and its impact on biodiversity. https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Nutrient pollution. https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution

In the Midnight Sweatlodge: Tales of Discovery & Healing by Waubgeshig Rice

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Author: Amruta Phansalker

Not a typical collection of short stories, but a gem that will set you on a course of cultural discovery!

I have always been intrigued by different cultures, customs, folklore, and traditions. As someone with Indian roots, I grew up hearing tales of the richness of my culture, the diversity of its myriad languages and dialects, and the beauty in its various art forms. Naturally, when I moved to Canada, I was fascinated with Canada’s Indigenous history, and to quiesce my curiosity, I turned to our city’s library. While the library’s collections had me confounded, I felt a tad bit deflated. How was I ever to overcome the vastness of the Indigenous knowledge? Our kindly librarian recommended “Midnight Sweatlodge”, Waubgeshig Rice’s collection of stories centered around the Anishinaabe Sweatlodge Ceremony.

Rice sets stage by introducing the reader to a Sweatlodge Ceremony attended by a compelling cast of characters, each having borne the burden of life’s hardships, whether in familial conflict, personal loss, or in walking the tightrope between old ways and modern ways. At midnight, as the Sweatlodge Ceremony is underway, each character lays bare their pain, grapples with their identity, and seeks healing, all under the tutelage of an Elder. The book consists of four short stories, each an exploration of vulnerability and truth-telling, written in a raw and evocative style.

Interestingly, the narrators of the stories span across all ages. “Dust” tells the story of land confrontation, tragedy, and death through the eyes of a young child; “Solace” is the story of a young adolescent’s tumultuous life as he witnesses familial strife and its tragic impact; “Bloodlines” is the story of a young adult torn between love and remaining true to his roots; and “Aasinaabe” is presented through the eyes of a mature adult, and centers around parenting and apocalypse.

Through the emotional intensity of the ritual and its cathartic effect on the participants, Rice captures the struggles faced by the contemporary Indigenous communities. Rice’s vivid descriptions of the woods, the lake, the dusty roads, poignantly brings out the stark and the subtle differences between contemporary living and “life on the Rez”. The crisp narrative style effectively describes difficult realities, but ultimately offers a message of hope and healing.

Albeit short, “Midnight Sweatlodge” is a thought-provoking read, and a great entry point for those unfamiliar with the Indigenous culture.

Of Food, Of Healing, Of Cultural Connect

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Author: Amruta Phansalker

Shane M. Chartrand’s Tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine is an inspirational cookbook that serves as an odyssey into Shane’s discovery of his history.

Slice of cake on a plate.

Author’s attempt at recreating “Chocolate Beet Cake with Saskatoon Berries”, minus the berries.

Food is fuel, an ineliminable part of our lives, a tool for sustenance. Food teaches us to love, to share, and to make memories. Food helps us discover cultures, and in that, serves as a gateway to understanding and appreciating other ways of life. Shane Chartrand’s Tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine bears testimony to the role of food. It is a reflection of the Indigenous approach to food, and especially their focus on the value of interdependency on the land and animals on whom we depend for food.

In Indigenous cultures, food isn’t merely to satiate, but to heal, and therefore, it is thought to have a spiritual role. In a short introductory preface, Chartrand reveals deeply personal details that influenced and shaped him, including his parents’ role, his early days in the food industry, and a chance encounter with a long-lost cousin that set him on a path of discovering his roots.

Nestled in the stories of the land and of people who influenced him, is a revelation of what Chartrand calls “progressive indigenous fare”, which is an amalgamation of traditional wisdoms and modern living. The book combines many styles of writing, and in its expository style, can be best thought of as part cookbook and part exploration of the cooking philosophy of the Indigenous communities.

The recipes are arranged according to seasons, bringing into focus the importance of “seasonal” eating and the Indigenous value of respect for nature. Chartrand uses descriptive titles for his dishes that are reminiscent of its origins, and of his endeavor in discovering the ingredients and techniques of Indigenous cultures. Throughout the book, Chartrand narrates excerpts from the many interviews and conversations he had, while highlighting the culinary influences and nutritional value of the food. This unique story-telling style is supplemented by visually stunning photographs, making reading an enjoyable experience. Readers will be intrigued by the recipes, whether it is the humble White Bean Dip, or the award-winning “War Paint”.

Containing over 75 recipes, for budding cooks, skilled chefs, and the avant-garde food connoisseurs, Tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine is a deeply personal work that informs, educates, and inspires. But above all, it teaches us that food is ceremonial, and that creating flavors while honoring our culture is indeed, a work of art.

 

Free workshops, tours and events

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CONNECT FEST, coming up April 26-30, is a five day celebration of lifelong learning and connection presented by SFU, the City of Burnaby, BCIT and many organizations, including Burnaby School District,  MOSAIC, United Way, Burnaby Public Library.

Sessions, workshops and tours presented by BCIT include:

All Festival events are open to Burnaby community members, free of charge, and most require registration.
Register for any of the BCIT events listed above here: https://bcit.libcal.com/

Find all the amazing Festival sessions here – https://connectfest.ca/all-events-at-a-glance/

 

Indigenous author & Indigenous content stickers in the Library

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Next time you are browsing the BCIT Library’s (awesome) Popular Reading collection look for these stickers. They indicate books with Indigenous authors or Indigenous content.

Libraries often use stickers to highlight content and draw the eyes of patrons. The BCIT Library has a few that we use including one for BCIT authors! The Indigenous authors and content sticker project has been a labour of love contributed to by many on the BCIT Library staff including the MediaWorks team, Librarians, and of course, the Technical Services Team.

Some Library staff are continuing to promote Indigenous works in our collection by writing book reviews on the BCIT Library blog. Watch for the tag Indigenous Authors and the Indigenous author logo on this blog for some fantastic and heartfelt recommendations from BCIT Library staff.

If you are on a journey to learn more about the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada (and beyond) I encourage you to borrow some of the titles in our collections. Suggestions of books to enhance our collection are always welcome. Thank you for reading. Please share your favourite books by Indigenous authors with us on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Woman’s Day Special Part 3

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Natasha Donovan

profile photo of Natasha Donovan in the nature

Photo courtesy of Natasha Donovan

 

A picture can speak a thousand words, and fans of illustrated classics would know what it really means! Graphic novels are a relatively new genre, and it is only now that the usefulness of incorporating them in classrooms is being discovered.
Our third storyteller knows all too well how powerful pictures can amplify textual messages. Natasha Donovan’s award-winning illustrations have brought numerous Indigenous stories and accounts to life. Her illustrations have not only graced the covers of books but also they have been featured prominently in picture books.
A member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia from Vancouver, Canada, Natasha identifies as a self-taught illustrator. While her work primarily focuses on comics and children’s books, Natasha has also worked on graphic novels, notably among which is “Borders” (King & Donovan, 2021), a graphic adaptation of a short story of the same name by the acclaimed author Thomas King. In Borders, Natasha’s illustrations add a layer of complexity and new meaning to the story of a young boy who crosses the Canada/US border along with his mother to visit his sister.

The love for children’s projects is in part due to her neurodivergent brain that allows her to better relate to children, and her admiration for their imagination and capacity to express freely without restrain. Natasha has won several awards for her work and is resolute in her mission to bring joy to the banality of life, while ensuring that her book can narrate stories of loneliness and delight, thereby making them accessible to all.

Read Part 1 & Part 2

 

Woman’s Day Special Part 2

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Shayla Stonechild

the profile photo of Shayla Stonechildhttps://shaylastonechild.ca/

Photo courtesy of Shayla Stonechild

 

Shayla Stonechild is the founder of Matriarch Movement, an online platform that brings together social media narratives, interviews, wellness sessions, blogs, and a video podcast on Indigenous stories, experiences, and struggles. Shayla resolves to chart a new course in the way mainstream media presents Indigenous dialogue, which she aims to achieve by connecting with the Indigenous peoples and engaging and educating the non-Indigenous communities.

Shayla identifies as a Mètis and Nehiyaw Iskwew from Muscowpetung First Nations and has always centered her work on vocalizing the Indigenous narrative, and in particular, that of the Indigenous youth and the women. In the video podcasts, Shayla interviews Indigenous women and two-spirit people in an effort to explore their perspectives and empathize with their trials and tribulations. The blogs offer unique memoirs of the Indigenous peoples as they focus on wellness and healing to become “visible”. Matriarch Movement touches on important subjects such as language revitalization, reclamation, matriarchy, and sustainability among others, and functions as an educational tool for deepening our understanding of the Indigenous identity.

Shayla is a co-host on “Red Earth Uncovered”, a popular APTN docuseries that explores the connection between archaeological findings and ancient Indigenous legends. She earned the title of “Metis Youth Ambassador of Alberta” and was also the first Indigenous woman to be featured on the cover of Yoga Journal.

Read Part 1 & Part 3

 

 

 

Woman’s Day Special Part 1

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Meet The Indigenous Women Who Inspire Through Their Storytelling

This Friday is International Women’s Day, a day for reckoning the collective progress in achieving gender inclusivity. Today, we memorialize the sacrifices of the many men and women, as they strove towards a more inclusive and equitable society. But a movement isn’t a movement unless the voice of everyday people is heard. And many have lent their voice to the gender equality movement in the past.
But this celebration is incomplete without taking into account the stories of the Indigenous women of Canada, which serve as a testament to the intricacies and the complexities of their realities. We bring to you four such powerful storytellers, whose works blend their personal experience within the broad strokes of cultural identity, mired by the impacts of colonization.
From investigative journalism to creative art, we are bringing you a three-part miniseries of Indigenous women chroniclers to watch out for!

Angela Sterritt

angela-sterritt- her book: unbrokenhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/author/angela-sterritt-1.2456302

Angela Sterritt’s debut memoir Photo courtesy of Prince George Citizen

A TV, radio, and digital journalist, Angela Sterritt shot to national fame in 2023 with her book “Unbroken”, which focusses on the stories of missing and murdered indigenous women alongside her personal struggle as she fought all odds to survive on the streets.
As a Gitanmaax member of the Gitanmaax First Nation, Angela’s father’s stories were pivotal in her journey as she sought to absorb her culture’s rich history, which was very different from her experience on the mostly-white Vancouver Island where she lived. Her father’s narratives captivated her, as she discovered the uniqueness of her culture, the strength in community building, and the resilience in her peoples’ fight for their land.

It was this discovery, along with her investigative reporting capabilities that brought to life Unbroken, a scathing reminder of the afflictions of colonialism and its impact on the histories of the First Nation Peoples. But above all, Unbroken is a celebration of the courage and the indomitable spirit of the Indigenous women, while stressing on the role of the media in the quest for their justice.

Fame is nothing new to Angela; she was adjudged Best Local Reporter at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards, for her story on 2 members of the Heiltsuk Nation who were unjustly accused of bank fraud. Angela also hosted the award-winning CBC original podcast entitled “Land Back”, which explores the Indigenous experience in reconnecting with their ancestral lands in a meaningful way.

Unbroken was nominated for two prestigious awards: the Governor General’s Literary Awards and the Hilary Weston Writer’s Trust Award. It is now available at the BCIT Library.

Read Part 1 & Part 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A book review of From the ashes: my story of being Métis, homeless and finding my way

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A book review by Cathy Hyska, Learning Commons Supervisor at the BCIT Library

“All us criminals start out as normal people just like anyone else, but then things happen in life that tear us apart, that makes us into something capable of hurting other people. That’s all any of the darkness really is—just love gone bad. We’re just broken-hearted people hurt by life.” (Thistle, 2019, p. 260)

This candid memoir tells the journey of Jesse Thistle, a man of Métis-Cree and Algonquin-Scottish heritage, as he shares stories of his childhood trauma, addiction, crime, homelessness and all it took for him to survive the lifestyle he was living. It took Jesse a long time to reach the point where he was willing to accept help to deal with his psychological and physical damage that was rooted in multi-generational trauma from both sides of his family. This story of resilience and strength also speaks to the important role that connecting with his Indigenous heritage played in Jesse’s recovery.

It’s a difficult subject matter and I don’t know that I could have finished this book if I didn’t know that Jesse survived to write his memoir. Despite being a painful story to read at times — Jesse’s strength to choose a different life is also a beautiful story of love, hope and resilience. This former high school dropout and now an assistant professor in Métis studies at York University in Toronto, tells a story that shows that it isn’t easy, but with love and support it’s also possible to choose a different path.  I’ve read this book twice and I don’t wonder that it was the top selling Canadian book for 2020. It definitely gave me even more empathy for those living with multi-generational trauma.  As well, when I see unhoused people in our community I think of Jesse and his best friend living in a car in a New Westminster parking lot – and I know that these people too have a story and I hope that they too will be offered the love and support they need. I hope you’ll also enjoy and learn from this book that is available at the BCIT Library.

*#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER
*Winner, Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Nonfiction
*Winner, Indigenous Voices Awards
*Winner, High Plains Book Awards
*Finalist, CBC Canada Reads
*A Globe and Mail Book of the Year
*An Indigo Book of the Year
*A CBC Best Canadian Nonfiction Book of the Year

 

Citation:

Thistle, J. (2019). From the ashes: My story of being Métis, homeless, and finding my way (Simon & Schuster Canada ed.). Simon & Schuster.