November 2010
32 posts
4 tags
Pumpkin Pasta
One of my favorite things to do for Halloween is carve pumpkins! I didn’t get around to getting some this year, as life has been very, very busy! So, this Halloween, rather than carving, I tried cooking with pumpkin!
I had some darling baby sugar pumpkins from the CSA & found this recipe amongst several pumpkin recipes on wholeliving.com. Of course, I left out the anchovies &...
October 2010
35 posts
4 tags
Vegan Cauliflower Au Gratin
As I mentioned previously, I have more cheddar cauliflower than I know what to do with! It’s been a chilly & gloomy rainy day. Not a better time of year for…..COMFORT FOOD!!!!
“Vegan Cauliflower Au Gratin”
The cauliflower’s vibrant cheddar color made this dish look that more “cheesy” & enticing! I also added a bit of fresh chopped sage to...
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Just in time for "Faux Turkey-Day..."
I apologize to all you Tofurky lovers out there…but I am not a fan! I do, however, love Gardein products, & am excited to try this…
Gardein has announced they’re just coming into stores now, & available as a two-pack in the freezer section.
The “Turk’y” is “breaded with toasted crumbs & is stuffed with celery, onions, cranberries, & bread crumbs.” Like...
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Tal Ronnen's Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
I adore Chef Tal Ronnen! His cookbook, “The Conscious Cook,” is one of my absolute favorites. His recipes are typically lengthy & ambitious, yet every dish I have prepared from his book has been amazing & worth the extra time & effort!
Thanksgiving is upon us & while I have a small invenotry of ideas, I’m still in the planning & recipe gathering stages....
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Roasted Beet & Turnip Salad
I used to despise beets, but somewhere along the way I learned to love them! Especially roasted!
“Roasted Beets & Turnips Over Beet Greens”
I had beets & turnips on hand from the CSA. I’d never cooked with turnips, but thankfully found a recipe that utilized both the beets & turnips, & beet greens as well!
I substituted the Balsamic Vinegar with Orange...
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Eight Ball Zucchini Stuffed with Rice, Basil &...
Sometimes cooking for one is fun - especially when it is as cute as this! I loved the combination of hearty brown rice, fresh basil, sweet sun-dried tomatoes & savory kalamata olives. This would be a fun dish to serve as a dinner party starter!
Recipe found here!
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This Week's CSA Share!
Romanesco “Veronica” Cauliflower
Beets
Tomatillos
Beans
Chard
Fordhook Acorn Squash
Lettuce
Melon
Stupice Tomatoes
Red Ruffled Pimentos
Padron Peppers
Summer Squash
Sage
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"Killer" Halloween Desserts
From Chef Chloe’s blog!
“Haunted Halloween Cake”
“Witches Finger Cookies”
Click here for the recipes.
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Parisian Palmiers
Yes, I am a self proclaimed Francophile! Four Octobers ago, my Mom took me to Paris for my birthday, & it was lovely! Such a great time of year to visit the “City of Light.” Since then, October always reminds me of Paris! We’ve been scheming & dreaming about our next trip, which will happen soon! In the meantime…
I love “palmiers” - cute little French...
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How to Eat Vegan Cheaply →
Great Advice:
Eat the cheap foods: Beans and rice, peanut butter and jelly, potatoes, corn, etc. Look at the diets of people who didn’t have access to cheap meat. Try to eat like those people by basing your diet on simple plant foods.
Make your own food: Convenience foods are usually more expensive than whole foods. So don’t pay other people to make your food for you. Pass the frozen meals...
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Kappa Sushi
You know I love veggie sushi! Kappa Sushi is near Anna’s house & had some yummy looking veggie options that I was interested in trying! After an afternoon of pedicures & pampering, we decided to check it out!
Here is what I enjoyed:
“Spicy Garlic Edamame” - Soybeans quickly sautéed with a sweet spicy garlic soy
“Atsuage Tofu” - Flash fried Chinese...
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Spooky Halloween Vegan Devil's Food Cupcakes
I’m a big fan of “Meet the Shannons” & their Julie & Julia style “Betty Crocker Project” - veganizing every recipe in The Betty Crocker Cookbook! Here is their latest installment:
“Orange, Mummy, & Zombie Brains Cupcakes”
So cute!
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Red Russian Kale with Pistachios
For me, sometimes there is nothing better, or more nourishing, than a simple bowl of steamed greens! I had some beautiful red Russian kale on hand & this recipe in my inventory…
“Red Russian Kale with Pistachios”
I added a squeeze of fresh lemon juice & a splash of Bragg Liquid Aminos & served over brown rice. Delish…
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Roasted Curried Cauliflower
I just made my first recipe from “The Skinny Bitch Ultimate Everyday Cookbook!” Yay! If you haven’t picked up the new book yet - you must! It is fabulous!
I received a monstrous head of vibrant “cheddar cauliflower” from the CSA, & seriously…I’ll be eating cauliflower dishes for days! Imagine my excitement when I came across a recipe for...
3 tags
Cute Faux Suede Ankle Boots...On the Cheap!
Don’t mean to sound snobby…but I’m usually not a cheap shoe kind of girl! However, I am also not the kind of girl who can afford the shoes I normally post here. Well…not yet anyway! It’s only a matter of time, I hope, but for now it is all just wishful thinking!
Anyway…I’d been wanting a cute pair of cruelty-free ankle boots that wouldn’t break...
6 tags
Larb: Thai Spicy "Beef-less" Salad
Another recipe I’m gonna steal from Anna! I love it when my omnivorous friends start eating more “meat-free” meals!!!! Perhaps it’s my influence???
Alex and I are big fans of Thai food, and one of our favorite dishes we always order is Larb. Pretty strange name, but the flavors in this dish really pack a punch. I decided to try my hand at making a version using my...
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Warm Dill Orzo Salad with Baked Tofu
I never know what to do with dill! I received a huge bunch of it from the CSA & needed to put it to good use. Then I’d remembered this recipe I’d printed out last month from The Blissful Chef.
“Warm Dill Orzo Salad with Baked Tofu”
This dish was delightfully fresh with great color & texture from the combination of fresh parsley & dill, sweet corn,...
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Rainy Sunday...
It’s raining & I love it! I wish I could spend the afternoon at home cozied up with some tea, a good book or classic film, & the Pug…But I have to work! Sadface…
This kind of weather puts me in a panini & soup mood, so I busted out the press & put a quick lunch together!
Vegan Caprese Panino…
Heirloom Tomato, Follow Your Heart Vegan Mozzrella &...
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Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook!
Yay!!!!! It’s out now & available here!
Kim Barnouin, one half of the sassy duo that brought us “Skinny Bitch”, is back with a book filled with recipes, diet & fitness advice, & thoughts on eating to create & maintain a healthier planet. Recipes include breakfast, soups, salads, sauces & dressings, side dishes, dinners, desserts & drinks.
Can’t...
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Olsen Haus...Oh, How I Love Thee...
…& wish I could afford!
The Olsen Haus::Pure Vegan Fall 2010 Collection is 100 % cruelty-free & made from sustainable/renewable materials. The uppers are made from recycled television screens, & the soles are composite runner with details of recycled tires & sawdust.
Fall 2010 = LUST…
“Joy”
“Grace”
“Justice”
...
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Ratatouille!
I picked up a bountiful box of veggies today from my CSA, & I am so happy to have a “fridge full of freshness” again!
I’ve been working non-stop & anticipate some long days ahead. Even though I love to cook, I know I won’t even want to think about spending time in the kitchen after being on my feet all day. So, I wanted to make sure to have something healthy &...
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Pumpkin, Fennel, & Onion Risotto
I love it when an “experiment” comes together as a really great dish! One of my absolute favorite things to make is risotto! I quite enjoy standing over the stove with a glass of wine & stirring, stirring, stirring…
I’d made “Fennel & Onion Risotto” in the past & knew that it was a win! I had more CSA fennel on hand & 1/2 a can of pureed...
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This Week's CSA Share!
I am so, so, so excited about tomorrow’s pick-up! I have so many ideas for yummy dishes to make with these goods! Have I mentioned how much I love being a part of a CSA??? It’s truly been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself…besides yoga!!!! I am so lucky to have access to a bountiful CSA here in my city & farmers’ market right here in my...
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Quiona Stuffed Sweet Dumpling Squash
I received some beautiful sweet dumpling squash in last week’s CSA & went in search of a fun fall recipe so I could cook them up! I found this great recipe on Apartment Therapy: The Kitchn & enlisted the help of my Mom, who is a fabulous cook!
Quiona Stuffed Sweet Dumpling Squash
This was so yummy! I decided to substitute red quiona thinking the color would be prettier,...
5 tags
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes!
Even though it feels like summer again here in sunny San Diego, I’m inspired by all the ”autumnal recipes” & beautiful pumpkins I’ve been seeing everywhere!
I love to make a nice breakfast on the weekends, so I decided to make these moist, fluffy, & tasty pancakes…
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups water
...
7 tags
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is a favorite haunt of my vegan friends, Andi & Kevin, & I’ve been dying to check it out for quite sometime! This afternoon, I met up with Andi & a couple of our friends there for drinks & appetizers.
Stone Brewing Co. is one of Southern California’s largest breweries, & probably best known for its “Arrogant Bastard” brand....
6 tags
Lemony Lentil Soup
My BFF, Anna, made this soup a few nights ago & posted it on her blog. I can’t wait until we are neighbors & can cook together! I think it looks so yummy & she said the lemony broth is very fresh & clean. With the weather turning more “fall-like” I’ve been in a soup mood too! Besides, I love lentils - they are so hearty & good for you, & hold up...
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EmersonMade...
I’ve been thinking…it’s time for a new look. Last Fall my hair was cut in a short bob with heavy, blunt bangs & very blonde. I wore a lot of black & clothes that were more structured & modern. For where I was in my life, it suited me.
This Fall, I am growing my bangs & hair out - I want long, flowing, golden locks! These days, I feel a bit more free, so I want my...
6 tags
Vegan Trick or Treat!
Yay, it’s October!
I love this time of year & to get into the spirit, I put out a few decorations last night! Then, I got to thinking about…HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!! I try to refrain, but I love candy! Not that it’s healthier or anything, but lucky for me, there are lots of vegan-friendly treats out there to satisfy my sweet-tooth!
Looking for vegan Halloween candy? Check out...
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Happy World Vegetarian Day Everyone!
“World Vegetarian Day, October 1, is the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month. Make a difference this October by informing others about the benefits of vegetarianism. You will be helping to create a better world because vegetarian diets have proven health benefits, save animals’ lives & help to preserve the Earth.”
For more info & to get involved, visit...
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Vegan Dining Through Encinitas, CA
A few days ago, Anna & I set out for what started out as a drive up the coast for a quick bite & a visit to the Self Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, but it turned into a full fledged eat-a-thon!
First stop: “The Greenery Raw Food Cafe”
I’d been curious to try this place for quite sometime. They offer a sit down menu for dinner, but for lunch they offer...