January 2012
22 posts
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Compassion is the Fashion
I just ordered this & I cannot wait to receive it & wear it everyday!
“Compassion is the Fashion Bunny Necklace” by Love Infinitely on Etsy
Isn’t it the cutest thing ever? This handmade treasure is part of Love Infinitely’s “Good Karma” Line & was inspired by Fur Free LA . Their incredible work is honored by this necklace. Fur Free LA is...
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Chopped Miso Salad with Savory Baked Tofu
As I sit here & eat my latest cabbage rich Heidi Swanson inspired creation (“White Beans & Cabbage” mentioned a couple of posts-a-go), I am finally sharing a dish I made almost 2 weeks ago with the cabbage from my last CSA share…
Behold the “Chopped Miso Salad with Savory Baked Tofu.” I made this for lunch on a dreary Monday a few weeks back. While this...
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This Week's (small) CSA Share
Cabbage, again. Tis the season. This is the only disadvantage of being a CSA member: non-preferred ingredients, ad naseam. But it teaches you to be creative, think outside the box, discover new favorites, & I try to make the best of it. Thank goodness I have some new & old recipes at my fingertips.
Broccoli
Cabbage
Chard
Parsley
Fennel
Carrots
Arugula
Kale
I have yet to share...
badassvegetarian asked: I love your blog! Your layout is beautiful and extremely clean and your articles always have delicious pictures. I really appreciate others who promote a healthful and conscious way of life! Keep up the great work.
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Kabocha Curry - Vegan & Cheater Version
Weeknights are often busy. Between 2 jobs, I work a long day, then come home, tend to my dog, & squeeze in yoga or exercise, & try make a fresh, nutritious meal. Some meals are healthier that other, & sometimes cheating is involved…
By cheating I mean taking reasonable short cuts. A Gardein Chik’n Breast & steamed or roasted vegetables with rice is a staple, as is...
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Rainbow Chard & White Bean Stew
Baby it’s cold outside…for Southern California, anyway. After a few weeks of warm spring-like weather, I’ve pulled my trench coat, scarves & boots back out. I even wore mittens this morning when walking the dog! Yay! Since I belong to a CSA, I’m blessed with a box of seasonal produce every other week. I love eating seasonally & that means cooking lots of warm &...
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Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf
It seems a little late in the season to be cooking with pumpkin, I know. We often equate pumpkin with Halloween & Thanksgiving then put it out of our minds until next year. In fact, that was exactly my line of thinking until 2 little sugar pumpkins showed up in my first of the new year CSA share…
I was a taken aback at first, but pumpkin is a “winter squash” after all,...
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Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar - Hillcrest
There is a new veg-friendly eatery open on my side of town & I could not be more excited…
Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar - Hillcrest
I first learned about Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar when my cousin brought me an enormous vegan cupcake from their Encinitas location. One gorgeous afternoon, Anna & I found ourselves there gorging on Veggie Chili Dogs, a guilty pleasure of mine....
“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr. (via veganauthor)
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This Week's (small) CSA Share
T.G.I. almost Friday! It’s been an exhausting week back at work & I am so looking forward to a 3-day weekend. I picked up my share today & was so happy to see it filled with a beautiful bunch of chard…
& these lovely veggies…
Broccolini
Spinach
Celery
Chard
Butter Lettuce
Parsley
Carrots
Napa Cabbage
Rainbow Microgreens
Oh Napa cabbage, here you are...
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amyangelo asked: Hey there! I love your blog and think it's super cute and informative. I just moved back to SD from NYC where I had a big community of vegan friends and such and I was wondering if you had any info, and if there is, about San Diego vegan meet ups? It has been challenging finding friends here with the same vegan values who are excited about food as most vegans are :) And since I have moved...
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"VEGANIZED #2" at El Take it Easy!
San Diego peeps, check this out…a 3 course affordably priced, locally sourced, vegan meal at El Take it Easy…And this is event #2. Where was I when they threw event #1? Well, this next event is certainly not to be missed!
I’ll admit, I’ve been curious, but I haven’t yet checked out El Take it Easy. Let’s just say their typical menu is very...
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Vegan Sauasge, Fennel & Tomato Stew
It’s beginning to feel a little more like winter again around here, at night anyway. I’ve been bundling up & turning on the heater again in the evenings, which means it is the perfect time for soul warming soup…
Fennel & Tomato Soup
While thumbing through the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, I came across this recipe & immediately dogeared it.
Not only...
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Good Morning!
Making Sunday breakfast or brunch is one of my favorite weekend pastimes! I go back to full time work tomorrow, ugh. After being spoiled with 2 1/2 weeks off from my school job, it’s gonna be tough to get back into “the grind.” So, to jumpstart my day of errands & last minute organizational “schtuff” I started off the morning with a special breakfast...
The Post Punk Kitchen 100
Pretty awesome list! Some of my favorite things are on it, including Chickpea Magazine which I contribute to! Check it here!
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An Afternoon of Mindfulness...
The weather in San Diego has been remarkable…
There are not many places where you’ll experience an 80 degree day in January. While I do hope for a bit of refreshing rain this season, there is something quite lovely about being able to spend a winter’s day by the coast in sandals & a maxi dress.
I have just a few days left before returning back to full time work. While...
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A look back at Vegenista's 2011
WOW! It’s hard to believe that another year has passed! I feel like I was just sitting down to recap 2010. Meant to get this out days ago, but I’m a bit backlogged & blame Pinterest, my new Apple TV & Angry Birds for occupying my down time.
2011 has felt like a whirlwind filled with cooking classes, vegan pairing events, my very first “vegan conference,” getting an article...
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An Ode to my Southern Mother: Black-Eyed Peas...
Happy 2012 everyone!
It wouldn’t be New Year’s Day without sharing a recipe for Black Eye Peas. According to Southern folklore, Black Eyed Peas are the first food to be eaten on New Year’s Day for luck & prosperity throughout the year ahead. I’ll take it! Gimme a gallon! The post below was submitted by my dear friend Andi. As always, enjoy her beautiful writing, wit...
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New Year's Eve Paella
I few years ago I decided to start my own “New Year’s Day Tradition” - a Champagne & Paella Party. This year I had a change of plans & made paella for NYE.
I didn’t have the “party” but opened it up for anyone who might want to drop by, & it ended up being me, the Pug, P & his sweet folks. That really put the pressure on, as...
December 2011
33 posts
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Linguine with Romanesco Cauliflower, Green Olives...
Recently The Kitchn posted 8 Indulgent Vegan Pasta Dishes. Hooray, right? Who doesn’t love a nice bowl of comforting pasta? Especially now, as we are all gearing up for healthy resolutions & New Year’s cleanses!
I was a little disappointed when I clicked on the first recipe, only to find that it was, in fact, not vegan…unless there is a vegan substitute for Pecorino...
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Last CSA Share of 2011
It’s my last share of the year! I joined Suzie’s Farm almost two years ago & it’s been one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Eating locally grown seasonal produce is a magical thing & I am so lucky to be able to do it. If you live in San Diego, or you have friends or family here why not share the love & give the gift of Suzie’s? Even though Christmas has...
noteworthyjargon asked: nothing to ask - just wanted to thank you for the vegan and veggie options! such a glorious blog you run!
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Christmas Eve Club
I meant to post this a few days ago, but oops, it’s been sitting in the queue. I thought now would be the best time to get around to posting it. I wanted to provide something a little uplifting after that last post, & to prove to dairy eating vegetarians that there is life after cheese, & prove to omnivores that there is life after bacon…
Introducing….
“The...
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Festive Holiday Tart
This was a dish that was supposed to be served Christmas morning, but it didn’t happen. Not enough time. So we opted for quick bake cinnamon rolls, veggie bacon, & fruit salad. So my Mom & I made it for post-Christmas brunch…
“Festive Holiday Tart”
I did a whole lotta nothing today, except for a bit of cooking with Mom, & spent most of the day in my new...
Christmas 2011
Wow. Another Christmas come & gone…
Lotsa presents under the tree…
Plenty of cookbooks for little ol’ me. Yay…
Bah humpug? No! Merry Merry from Lucie Lu…
Beautiful Julian, CA Christmas sunset…
Homemade Vegan Christmas Tamales…
This year we made our own masa dough from a recipe in Viva Vegan!, & veganized this Red Pepper Tamale...
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"Milk" & Vegan Cookies for Santa
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Santa certainly won’t pass up our home this year if he knows what’s good for him, as we have delicious delights! Forget sugar cookies & dairy milk…
White Russian “Eggnog” Martini
This is something Santa should be used to, as this has become the traditional Christmas eve nightcap. I shared the recipe last year. As for the...
Keep Calm...
So, is everyone growing tired of the “Keep Calm & Carry On” rip offs? I guess I’ll admit that I am just about over it, but I saw this & thought - “one last time!”
Yesterday, I made a last minute trip to Whole Foods to pick up the vegan essentials for a few holiday recipes - daiya cheddar shreds, FYH mozzarella, tempeh bacon, vegan pie crust,...
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Creamy White Bean Hummus
I attended my first & only Holiday party this evening. Naturally, I volunteered to bring the veggie tray. Pretty much everyone loves to dip their veggies in hummus, right? I have my list of store bought faves, but, this time instead of opting for the easy way out, I decided to whip up a quick & easy version of my own - with a twist: using white beans instead of chickpeas…
Why the...
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Butternut Squash & Soyrizo Tostadas
My favorite way to spend a Sunday? Playing in the kitchen. Today’s project: “Butternut Squash & Soyriso Tostadas“…
The inspiration came from this recipe that I had posted on my Veganize It! Board on Pinterest. The dish sounded so yummy & I knew it would be so easy to make vegan with a simple swap of soyrizo, the omission of cheese & the addition of cashew...
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This Week's (small) CSA Share!
I picked up my goods last night & some other fun stuff. Yay! It was slim pickins’ in my fridge!
First of all - If you live in San Diego & love hummus, you must check out Baba Foods. Best hummus in town. My all time favorite is the “Vegan Curry Hummus,” but last night I selected the “Pesto (Basil) Hummus.” I’ve been in a veggie sandwich mood lately &...
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WatchIf you know me, I am a huge fan of scarves, especially infinity scarves - but an infinity scarf that I can wear as a shirt, a dress, a skirt, a purse, etc., & it’s made in the USA from 100% recycled fabric? I think that is the coolest thing ever & that is just what “The Versalette” by {r}evolution apparel is all about!
The Versalette is a multi-functional piece that...
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Gingered Soba Noodles, Take Two!
Kid germs…they’ll get ya. I was so sick last week. So sick that I made this dish again, photographed it & never posted it. Oops. Glad I remembered, as I love this recipe & have been wanting to share it again….with better photos.
Gingered Garlic Soba Noodles with Steamed Broccoli
I love soba noodles, in fact, I prefer them over any pasta - semolina, wheat, brown...
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How to Keep a Green, Vegan Kitchen
A “green & vegan” kitchen is something I’ve been striving for for quite along time &, with some mindful research, it’s easier than you think. What you will find shocking is how many animal products are hidden in everyday household items - think beyond food & drink…
Do you know which animal-derived, eco-unfriendly ingredients might be sneaking...
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"The Tipsy Vegan" & another win for me!
I’m not sure where this streak of luck has come from, but I have won another great holiday giveaway! My latest win…
The Tipsy Vegan: 75 Boozy Recipes to Turn Every Bite into Happy Hour
I’ve admitted before that I have a bit of a hoarding problem when it comes to cookbooks. I currently have more vegan cookbooks than I can stuff on to my bookcase & am...
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Winner, Winner, Vegan Dinner!!!
I am thrilled to be the winner of the “Spencer’s Market Giveaway” from Almost Vegan! Look at all these amazing goods…1 box of 12 LÄRABAR minis, 1 bag of Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips, 6 packs of Primal Strips vegan jerky (one of each flavor), & 1 bag of Uncle Eddie’s Vegan Cookies…
I am so excited to get a little “taste” of what...
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WatchThis video really touched me. I love everything about Gentle Barn - from their rescue & rehabilitation of animals, to their work with at risk youth & childen with special needs. Learn more here.
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Lentil, Kale & Butternut Squash Bowl with Maple...
I am super-duper sicky. Ugh. It was bound to happen sooner or later, what with working with germy little ones. It came on swiftly & quickly put me out of commission. Somehow last night, in the midst of aches & pains, I had the energy to put together a nourishing dinner…
It was quick, easy & delicious. I always have the “Steamed Lentils” from Trader Joe’s on...