Tomorrow, February 23 is an exciting day for Boston Vegans. By Chloe, the NYC-based vegan fast food restaurant, is finally opening in the Seaport district of Boston. 

It was initially reported in the summer of 2016 that By Chloe would open a location in the Seaport but opening day was pushed back several months.

Boston Magazine, Eater Boston, and Boston.com all got a sneak peak  of the menu before the big day.  This will  the largest locations of the rapidly growing plant-based fast food chain. There are nine locations in NYC, LA, and now Boston. 

This will be By Chloe's first Boston location with another location set to open in Fenway. I can't wait to provide a review of the food, staff, and decor. I'll try to contain myself and not order everything off of the menu at once. 

Every time I've been in NYC for work I've attempted to sneak over to By Chloe but it's always just a bit too far out of the way. So if it's as good as everyone says it is, tomorrow will be like a dream come true. Now if only Blossom would expand out of NYC, I'd be a real happy camper. 

Separately, at the end of March, Boston will be host to the annual Ivy League Vegan conference at Harvard University. I've never attended, but this year's speaker lineup and agenda is fabulous. Let's be honest, we all want to meet Allen Campbell, Tom Brady's personal chef.

The conference is open to the general public and will focus on "plant-based diets and bioethics featuring renowned leaders from across the disciplines." I'd love to hear from you if you attended previous conferences or if you plan to attend this year. It would be great to link up during the conference. 

At the very least, let me know what you think of By Chloe! 

Will you be my Valentine?

Whether you have a Valentine or you are solo, I hope your day is beautiful and filled with love. 

Couldn't resist sharing this double layer vegan chocolate cake I baked last night. (Recipe courtesy of Minimalist Baker.) It came out just perfect. Love it when that happens, particularly when I'm baking. I'm very much a novice baker so when something rises properly in the oven, I'm happy like a kid in a candy store.

I baked this cake to celebrate my sister-in-laws birthday but also to celebrate my one year Vegan anniversary! It was one year ago today that my husband and I had the most amazing Valentine's Day brunch at Fresh in Toronto and I made a commitment after 25 years as a vegetarian to take the plunge and adopt a 100 percent plant-based diet. 

I've had so much fun over the past year learning about new foods, cooking new vegan recipes, and transitioning into a healthier, more sustainable focused individual. Along the way I earned my plant-based nutrition certificate from Cornell University. That was a fabulous learning experience and I highly recommend it to anyone considering it. 

Instagram has consistently been a wonderful source of inspiration.

Admittedly, I cheated two or three times over the course of the year and ate pizza with real cheese and organic Greek yogurt (following a gum surgery). But I never really missed cheese and other dairy products. 

At times it is challenging, particularly while traveling, but I learned quickly and now travel with more dried fruits, nuts, and granola bars in my purse. Overall I'm so proud of the decision I made one year ago today. Overall I have more energy. I've maintained my weight. And my carbon footprint is lower and fewer animals suffer because of my decision.

I encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables. It will change your life. 

Happy February! We survived the January blues and now have Valentine's Day or one of America's best Hallmark holidays to look forward to. Let's be honest, if you are in a relationship or just started seeing someone, February 14 is definitely on your mind. 

Did you make a dinner reservation yet? For those of you in the Boston area, True Bistro has a 100% plant-based mouth watering prefix menu option. 

Have you picked out a gift or will you get your main squeeze the traditional roses and chocolate? 

Maybe you plan to skip the lines and overpriced prefix menus and make a romantic dinner at home instead. 

Whatever you decide, if you are Vegan or you are in a relationship with a Vegan, you don't want to be scrambling to figure out exactly what to buy or make. Hershey's Chocolate, Cadbury, and Ghiradelli don't offer (that I know of) Vegan products yet. 

Here are five Vegan Valentine's Day sweet ideas to consider: 

• No Whey Foods! offers a variety of traditional boxed chocolates but all Vegan! 
• Vegan Divas on the Upper East Side in NYC provide satisfying red velvet cakes and cupcakes to order or for delivery in the city. 
• PETA has a great round up of 14 candies all free from dairy products and gelatin. 
• The Natural Candy Store sells lollipops, mints, hard candy, and a few Vegan chocolates. 
• Of course Amazon has you covered with more than 500 Vegan chocolate box ideas! You're bound to find one or two that are suitable! 

And for the more creative folks, here are five of the best Vegan meals & desserts to make at home that will wow your partner: 

• Want to make your night a sizzling one? Try these Spinach and Hominy Enchiladas with Spicy Cashew Cream from Serious Eats.
• Oh She Glows has you covered in the sweets department. Vegan chocolate cupcakes with salted buttercream anyone? Mmmm. 
• Vegan Butter company Earth Balance suggests a handful of appetizers, main courses, and desserts to create the perfect romantic dinner. 
• Allrecipes culled through their best Vegan and Vegetarian dinner recipes for you and your sweetie. 
• I'll take at least one lava cake and one mint chocolate fudge pie please. Mmm. 

Now that you have a few Vegan sweets and dinner ideas to ponder, don't forget to write a handwritten love note to woo your sweetheart.