Thanksgiving 2011

This Thanksgiving Danny and I had a nice quiet dinner for two. Having visited his parents earlier in the day and then meeting my family for dessert in the evening, it was a nice break of peace for the both of us. We decided to only make our favorite veggies for the special feast so the menu included: mashed potatoes, sweet white corn, carrots with dill butter, roasted asparagus and biscuits. It was delicious :) Even Olive enjoyed her mighty veg dinner.

Even though the holiday wasn't the same as the years before, we enjoyed it. The more time passes, you realize that things change and people tend to go their own way when it comes to the holidays. As long as you can do what makes you happy and somehow share the special moments with loved ones, everything is all good.

Here are some photos from our yummy veg Thanksgiving dinner :)

Grandma's Lentil Soup

I love soups! During the fall and winter I make tons of batches so we have leftovers. There are few that are my favorites such as my Veggie Soup and Tomato Minestrone. However, there is another one that is close to my heart. Grandma's Lentil Soup! My Grandma rocks, especially in the kitchen. She grew up eating this soup thanks to her mother and now I get to eat it up too. Hearty and delicious, a warm bowl will make you feel better if you are sick, get you all toasty on a cold night or simply crush those hunger pains. Its easy to make, healthy as can be and oh so yummy. Now you can all benefit from this great recipe too :)

Grandma's Lentil Soup
- 1 cup lentils
- 6 cups of veggie broth or water & 3 veggie bouillon cubes
- 1/2 of a small can tomato sauce
- 2 carrots
- 1 small onion
- 2 tsp of adobo seasoning
- 1/2 cup of orzo or small pasta

1. Chop all veggies into bite size pieces.
2. Pour water or veggie broth in pot and add tomato sauce and seasoning.
3. Add veggies
4. Mix and cook on medium low for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are fully cooked.
5. Before its almost done cook up the orzo add to the soup when done.

Get Creative in the Kitchen

I came across a blueberry muffin recipe in Real Simple that inspired me to get baking. There were a few things I wanted to change so I switched a few ingredients out for vegan substitutes and didn't include some others. I also took some tips from another recipe from Kim Barnouin's cookbook and combined everything together. Boy did they come out awesome!

Always remember that you can take recipes apart and make them your own. This time I used blueberries but in the future I can add just about anything I want. From chocolate chips to nuts to other types of fruit - they will all taste great. The one thing that is important to me besides having something taste good is to use organic, natural ingredients that are healthy and vegetarian. I don't use dairy in any of my baked goods and you don't have to either. Even if you're not vegan or vegetarian, its smart to be as healthy as possible. The fact that you can enjoy a sweet treat and have it be healthy is such a amazing thing.

A Belgium Breakfast

Every other weekend or so I like to make pancakes or belgium waffles for breakfast. Sort of a nice little treat for Danny and I. My vegan pancake recipe is awesome but I recently found a waffle recipe that came out really well too. I am going to tweak it a bit but as of now, it's pretty damn good.

I like to warm up the syrup and butter so its nice and hot for dipping and sometimes add vegan chocolate chips for extra sweetness. Add a little powdered sugar on top and you have one might fine breakfast. Yum! Recipe coming soon :)

It's About Time

I'm watching the Food Revolution with Jaime Oliver and am so happy he is doing another season. It is no surprise that our school system is somewhat destroyed. From education and teacher positions to the food they feed your children. There definitely needs to be change because our kids aren't learning what they should and most of them are fat and unhealthy. Is this okay with you because it's not okay with me.



Now, I don't have kids yet but in a few years I will. I have friends that have children and also young ones in my family. I care about all of them and they deserve the best. When I do have kids of my own, they will eat the freshest, most healthiest food from the start. No nasty meat. No chemical filled junk. No food that has been sitting on a shelf for God knows how long. They will consume plenty of fresh veggies and yummy treats that are pure sweetness. And they will love them all.



The key is to give your kids the good stuff from the start. My Mother fed me tons of vegetables, fruits and organic foods when I was a child. I LOVE tons of vegetables and fruits to this day and I thank her or that. She didn't feed me lots of red meat, mostly chicken. That was a good thing too. Because of that I was never a big meat eater. This made it easier for me to go veg when it was my time to.



I don't care if your kids won't eat certain things. I know tastes change and little ones can be picky and quite frustrating. However, they only know what you give them. Get creative with foods and trick them if you have to. It's worth it for them to be healthy and develop good eating habits. I sure hope you all agree. If you feed your children crap, they won't like fresh "real" food when they have it. That is seriously sad and it's pretty much your fault. No one ever said parenting was easy. Buckle up and get ready for the ride.



My advice to parents, especially young parents, is to involve your kids in the preparation. Show them where food comes from, how it grows and why each is so amazing. When they see that there all types of delicious foods out there that are healthy too, it will make all the difference. Plus, they are learning and will have fun in the process.

As far as the school system goes, they need to grow balls and lose the greed. It's either the district doesn't get enough funding or they would rather pay administration money they don't deserve than supply the schools with healthy food. Both are screwed up but both can surely change. Right now, everything is falling apart. That is why people need to be strong and use their power to make change in the home. You all have the power to do so.

Stop being lazy and cook for your family. Make time if you feel you don't have it. Too bad. Stop complaining about money and stop using it as a reason why you don't buy natural and organic foods. Its old and annoying. Get over it. If some things are a little more expensive than cut back funds somewhere else. Food is important! Your body needs to thrive on it. Not crash. If you need help budgeting your money or help shopping for better food than ask. There is always a resource out there you can go to.

I sure hope that things in the near future. It's a scary thing. 2012 is right around the corner and we should all expect a shift to come into play. I am not saying the world is going to end but something is going to happen. Just be prepared, thats all. We all need to eat better, move more and take care of friggin planet! The more we destroy our surroundings, the more we destroy ourselves. Being selfish and greedy is disgusting. Money isn't everything and material things are just garbage compared to the real needs of human beings.

Do the right thing for yourselves and your children. Help others make the right decisions. Love all animals because they are Earthlings too. This planet is a home to all of us and we are all equal. We need nature to survive. We need to consume the gifts of the Earth to thrive and be amazing. We need each other for support, love and inspiration. It's about time we all Evolved for Change.

A Mighty Breakfast

Every weekend I try to make sure my fiance Danny gets to eat a hearty breakfast. During the week he mostly eats cereal because it's easier to make before work. This morning I made one of his favorites, a cheese omelette with a side of potatoes. I don't eat eggs anymore but I don't mind cooking them for him. At least I know he is getting protein and will be full till lunch.

It's quite simple how I make it. The potatoes are just cut into small pieces and sauteed in a little olive oil and Earth Balance butter. About 20 minutes into the cooking time I add the chopped onions and let them cook a little more. You want the potatoes to have a nice crisp crust on the outside but not charred. I also add a little salt and pepper to them while they cook.

For the omelette I just use 2 organic brown eggs and add a little almond milk, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork then pour into a small hot pan with 1 tbsp of Earth Balance butter. You want the heat on low here, about a level 2. Eggs always need to cook slow. As they cook, bring the outer edges in with a wooden spoon or spatula and let the uncooked egg fill the spaces. After a couple of minutes, turn the eggs over. This is when I add a piece of cheese. Then I turn half the omelette over to cover the cheese until it melts. Done!

Sometimes I like to use fresh herbs in the egg mixture. Parsley and basil work well. Add a little paprika for some heat or some scallions for a light onion taste.

It always makes me feel good knowing I can provide a healthy and satisfying meal for Danny as well as others. To see smiles on their faces and knowing their tummies are full is what makes all the difference. Cooking up a mighty breakfast is important to start the day off right and get your body in motion. So spread the love through food and cook up a picture perfect meal that will satisfy both the king and queens of eats!

Recipe in Vegetarian Times

So I went out to get the mail before and to my surprise my Vegetarian Times came. I have been waiting for the April/May issue for months because they were planning to publish my Black Eyed Pea Cakes & Confetti Corn recipe. Finally, I got to see it in print. If you don't have the issue yet check it out here. (pats herself on the back)

A Light & Healthy Lunch

Eating a healthy lunch that is light and fills you up is not that hard. Today, I heated up some leftover rice and steamed broccoli and edamame for a meal fit for a queen. (I am certainly not a princess!) Not only was it was super easy to make, it was delicious and it kept me full for about 5 hours. Here is what I did:

- steam broccoli & edamame
- heat up 1 cup of cooked rice (white or brown) in a pan with 2 tbsp. of Earth Balance butter
- throw in a sprinkle of parmesan cheese
- Add the veggies + salt and pepper

Eat up!

Veggie Chik'n Paninis

For dinner tonight I made veg paninis so I can put our new panini grill to use. It was sitting in the dining room since Christmas! They were super simple to make and you can substitute just about anything you like in them. But this recipe calls for:

- half of a green bell pepper
- half of an onion
- mozzarella (vegan Daiya cheese would be a great substitute)
- Gardein tenders
- ciabatta bread
- salt and pepper

All you have to do is saute the peppers and onions in a pan with a little olive oil for about 20 minutes or so. Bake the Gardein tenders and then place on bread with veggies and cheese on top. Pop them on the grill and let cook for about 4 minutes. Enjoy!

Tacos!

I must say, now that I am veg I enjoy tacos even more than before. I don't feel like crap after eating them and I know in my heart its so much healthier. Plus, they are so delicious! Here is a quick recipe you can whip up under 30 minutes and everyone will love. Even those meaty taco lovers.

Feeds 2-4 people

- a half bag of Quorn crumbles or a box of crumbled Seitan
- 1 small onion
- 5 garlic cloves
- olive oil
- cumin, chili pepper, salt & pepper
- cilantro
- a half 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
- optional:1 small bell pepper

Chop up the onion, pepper and garlic. Saute onions & peppers in a medium heated pan with 2 tbsp of olive oil until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two. Add a tsp or so of cumin, chili pepper and cilantro and a little salt and pepper. Mix well and add crumbles. Mix again. Let cook for a few minutes and add tomatoes. Let it all cook together for 5 - 6 minutes and serve.

I love making rice with this dish. I add a little Earth Balance and salt when cooking and then a little cilantro when its done. Make a taco bar filled with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa - whatever you love on tacos. Use vegan alternatives as well if you want. Enjoy!

Vegan Lentils and Pasta

I made a yummy dish for lunch today and had to share it with my readers. Not only is it delicious, its packed with protein and flavor. Plus, its easy to make. It is perfect for lunch, brunch or dinner and can also be a side dish. I think it would be good to serve at a party as well. This dish is vegan but if you wanted to add some parmesan cheese, that's fine too. But it certainly doesn't need it. Happy Cooking!

Ingredients:
1 cup of any small pasta - I used Dischi
1/2 cup of lentils
3 cups of veggie broth - I use Rapunzel Vegan Veggie Cubes w/ Sea Salt
1 small onion - You can use 3 shallots instead
3 cloves of garlic
parsley
1 tbsp of olive oil

First, cook the lentils until they are soft. This could take about 20 minutes or so.
While they are cooking, chop the onion and garlic. If you are using fresh parsley, chop that too.
Once the lentils are cooked, drain and put aside.
Boil the veggie broth and add the pasta. Cook on medium high.
In a small pan, pour the olive oil and saute the onions on medium heat until they are translucent, about 5 -8 minutes.
Then add the garlic and saute another 5 minutes. Turn heat off.
When the pasta is done, add the lentils, onions and garlic and mix.
Simmer on low for another 5 minutes.
Add the parsley and serve.

* Makes about 4 servings

The Day After

So Thanksgiving is over and Black Friday is coming to an end. I have to say I enjoyed the holiday immensely. I thought I would have gotten upset because I wasn't with my whole family but I didn't. As much as I love them all, I feel differently about the holiday now. I just don't feel comfortable sitting around a turkey and that is not going to change. Giving thanks and celebrating the holiday should not include dead animals. Period.

My Menu
Veggie Casserole {beans, cheese, veggie crumbles, onions & peppers}
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Corn
Marinated Roasted Veggies {red peppers, onions, broccoli & asparagus}
Carrots
Salad

Dessert Menu
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Shortbread Cookies
Brownies
Oatmeal Cookies
Pumpkin Pie {made by Dan's Mom}
Carrot Cake {made by my Mom}

I am relieved that I stuck to my guns and did what I wanted to do. Giving in just isn't an option when it comes to this issue and I won't back down. I respect how other people want to live and carry on tradition but I don't want to be a part of it. I feel family and friends should be open minded and be able to change once in awhile - like I do all the time. Some aren't able to. I accept that reality. This is why I started my own tradition that is truly a celebration. Giving thanks to the Earth and serving cruelty-free food that is delicious is my kind of Thanksgiving :) You want to be a part of it, awesome. If not, go sit around a dead turkey.

To all you vegetarians and vegans out there - we RULE!

Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch

Forget about the eggs and bacon and try to think out of the box when cooking breakfast. I am not a big "breakfast food" person so I like to create a meal fit for a brunch. This morning my cousin Alex was supposed to come by so I cooked up something special. Unfortunately, she had to reschedule and I was left with lots of food! So I had a nice brunch with myself and wrapped the rest up to eat in the morning with Danny. I had to share this recipe with my readers because it came out so good. It just goes to show you that with simple flavors and a lot of love, you can create something easy and delicious.

Black Eyed Pea Cakes and Confetti Corn

The first thing you want to do is prepare the black eyed peas and potatoes. Just rinse the peas and then simmer in water for about one and a half hours. It should list directions on the back of the package. You will only need about 1/2 cup for this recipe. For the potatoes I used little red ones and left the skin on. These are great for mashed potatoes. I would say about 6 -8 would be good. Cut them in fourths and boil in a pot of salted water for about an hour or so until they are soft.

While these are cooking you want to prepare your corn. Its so easy! Just take about 1 1/2 - 2 cups of cooked corn and put it in a bowl. Chop up 1/4 onion and 1/2 of a pepper (red or green) and add them to the bowl. Then for some flavor add some parsley, cilantro, salt and pepper. Put on the side.

Once the peas and potatoes are done, drain both. Mash the potatoes and add salt & pepper, 2 tbsp of butter (Earth Balance), 1 - 2 tbsp of fresh parsley, about 2 tbsp of sour cream and mix all together. Then add the black eyed peas and mix again.

Next, you want to get the panko mix together. Mix about 1/2 cup of panko, fresh parsley, fresh basil (dried is fine too) salt & pepper and some parmesan cheese in a bowl. Make cakes out of the potato mixture about 1/4 cup each. I do this so they are all the same size. They are very delicate so do not treat them as if you were making hamburgers. Be gentle! Cover them in the panko mix on both sides and put them aside on a plate.

Now you are ready to cook. In a large pan put about 2 tbsp of olive oil and wait till its hot. Fry up the potato cakes until they are golden brown. In another pan, put a little bit of butter and saute the confetti corn until the onions and peppers are slightly cooked. I would say about 10 minutes. Make sure you drain each cake when they come out to take the excess oil off. Greasy food is gross!

Now you can finally eat! This meal may be a little time consuming but its really easy and I promise you everyone will love it.

Processed Foods - Then and Now

It's funny how today, most products you find in the supermarket are highly processed and full of crap. What the packaging says may not be the truth and a lot of advertising are just lies. This is upsetting because when these same products were first introduced they were amazing to everyone. People didn't realize how bad some of this stuff really was! Let's just take a small look back in time. Thanks to the April issue of Real Simple we can catch a glimpse of history way back when and see how things have changed for some of these products.

Kool-Aid (once known as Kool-Ade)
This powdered drink mix was invented by Edwin Perkins and his wife Kitty. They originally created Fruit Smack which was a liquid concentrate. Problems with the packaging and high production costs let to the idea of Kool-Aid. It was made a powder in 1927 and later sold to General Foods in 1953. Notice how the packaging changed once it went to a commercial company. That vintage appeal was lost. Ingredients that were once listed were no longer printed. In came the big fat Kool-Aid guy all happy like he smoked crack. Did they need to make him break through walls? Of course, the advertising was focused on children and after seeing the commercials what kid wouldn't want to drink it? The crap is pure sugar! Even the sugar-free versions are horrible considering they contain aspartame. Just another highly processed and toxic product for our kids. They even started to print labels that said "sensible selections" on the packaging. Are they crazy! You can't go wrong with cheap crap that makes your kids happy, right? Unfortunately, you can!

The original drawings of the Kool-Aid guy were cool. Being an artist I can appreciate that. But when you use something that is cool in a negative way its simply a waste of creativity.



Minute Rice
We all want to make dinner faster and easier right? Well, General Foods first introduced Minute Rice in 1949. It was pre-cooked, easy to make and ready fast. They have a lot of varieties which is good but I am just wondering where all their rice comes from. You see, I like to buy my rice in a bag that doesn't get boiled. A bag that tells me where it came from. I don't mind it taking 20 minutes or so to cook. Big deal! This was one of the products that slowly helped American families stop cooking real food and make dinner in 10 minutes. Something I do not support. The packaging sure as hell changed too.



Hamburger Helper
Another great friggin idea! Hamburger Helper is one of the worst products out there. The amount of crap in it is horrible. Created in 1971 it was intended to help stretch the amount of meat a family bought due to the escalated prices. What ever happened to just making real macaroni and cheese and adding meat? Oh I forgot, American families are lazy. And what's up with the hand dude? He doesn't even make sense. I get the whole "helping hand" idea but its still pretty lame. General Mills also sells frozen versions too. Yuck! They even have the nerve to put "home-cooked skillet meal" on the package!



Campbells Soup
Honestly, the first thing I think of when Campbell's comes to mind is Andy Warhol. Not how good the soup tastes. What does that say! First of all, the idea to condense soup might have been good at the moment but there really is nothing great about it. Of course, today they have normal soups as well. Sadly enough, most of them are high in sodium, contain msg and are really bad for you. In 2008, they started to make label changes so the packaging would appeal more to the public. Just last year the company finally lowered 50% of the salt content in their products. It took them that long! Geez, people have been complaining for years. Just so you know, they own a lot of other brands as well: Pace, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Swanson and V8. Talk about big business. That doesn't include the brands they own from other countries.

Campbell's line of soups was introduced in 1897 with the original Tomato Soup. They added new flavors as the years passed. They started to add the Campbell's Kids to their ads in 1904 which are now collectors items. That ended in 1958 but showed up again in a 1990 commercial where the kids were rapping. Huh? Anything to get your children's attention. In all their ads they mention how cheap it was, how fast it was to cook and how healthy it is. Hmmm..I would rather make my soup from scratch.



If you want to check out all the products listed in the article then check out the Food section on page 251 of the April issue.

If you haven't noticed, a lot of products aim their advertising toward children. Parents really need to look out for this. Even when you go to the movies! A new study from Pediatrics found that 55% of all product placement in films rated PG and PG-13 are sugar-sweetened drinks. That is horrible! Your kids should not be drinking soda or any of that other crap. Why do think diabetes and obesity is such a big problem in the United States? This is why I support the NY drink tax. I think its a great idea and I hope that all states follow through. Its called "real" juice people, not powder!

I just hope that everyone reads the ingredients of what they buy. I bet most of it has a huge list of things you can't pronounce. Thats bad! Put it back and stop buying it. Don't believe the packaging because its cute and don't buy into the lies the ads throw in your face. Be smarter and eat healthier! You are what you eat :)