Galaxy Cake and Thanksgiving Roast

Two big events have passed with out so much as a peep about the delicious meals I have intaked.

1st- I turned 28. My baby boy had a cold, so my fun day of going to coffee and meeting some friends to bake and craft turned into a day at home with not a lot going on.  My big present to myself was gong to be a nap, which didn't pan out either.  The gentleman in my life had to work late so I ended up eating take out from Saturn Cafe with my mom watching Grey's Anatomy.  Not all that different from a normal day, but really not all that bad either.  What was a lovelier part of the day was my adventure in cake making.  I've made a lot of cupcakes lately and wanted to have a big giant slice of cake.  So I made what I would like to call my Galaxy Cake.  

It's a chocolate cake flavored with coconut frosted with coconut buttercream.  What was really special was the awesome package I receive from my BFF Margy which contained 2 types of homemade body scrub (yay!) and a big 'ol jar of homemade vegan caramel sauce.  As soon as the package arrived I attacked it with a large spoon.  The jar came full, you you can see that as this picture was taken the day of my birthday I really had a go at it.   I smeared both layers of the cake with caramel sauce, then frosted.  On teh top of the cake I pipped a circle, then filled it with chocolate from everyone's favorite cupcake book and Margy's caramel sauce.  She found this somewhere online, I'll have to ask her where, because it was damn good.

2nd- In other exciting eating events we had thanksgiving.  I made a pumpkin pie from Karina's Kitchen that turned out fabulous (thank you so much for the recipe!) and I had my first experience with making seitan.  I tell you, it went well, very well indeed.  I used a recipe from Vegan Dad and it was foolproof! See the pictures below, I apologize for their yellow tint, the kitchen doesn't have great bulb light.   I whipped together some homemade stuffing and rolled these beauties up.  They were super easy and so delicious.  I made two hoping to have leftovers, nope!! all eaten, and there were only 2 veggies out of the 13 guests.  It was a hit.  I'll share my pumpkin cinnamon rolls with pumpkin cream cheese frosting soon.. must go bake for my man's christmas party tomorrow- 100 mini cupcakes here I come!! 

NotJello

In the depths of my love for packaged foods I have always as a vegan yearned for a cold, sugary gelatinous substance.  On a recent trip to Staff of Life, a local store here in SC- I found an old friend in a little cardboard box.  Natural Dessert- All Natural Cherry Jel Dessert!  I think I've tried this before, but my memory is a little thin in some places since being pregnant (momnesia they call it), so a shaky memory helps to keep life exciting, as I try things for the first time over and over again. 

I followed the simple instructions on the back

threw it in the fridge and hello! a jello mold!  

We topped it with Soyatoo Soy Whip (a favorite around the holidays), and it was delicious!

San Fran Part II- Maggie Mudd!

So to celebrate my soy intake I went to San Fran to see my awesome friend Margy who was in town for a conference.  And.... I finally made it to Maggie Mudd!

I can't tell you how much I love living (eating) on the west coast- where you can go out to an ice cream shop and the people know what a vegan is.  So many vegan options in this town.  

After my trip to maggie mudd where all I wanted in the world was a vegan brownie sundae (yes they have them, but no they are not wheat/gluten free).  So I came home with a mission.  And with a love of awesome dessert mixes (thank you Betty Crocker for all the good days when I was a young omnivore) I tried a gluten free brownie mix with a little ice cream, homemade chocolate sauce, and whip cream.

I have to say- the mix was pretty good.  I have a slight aversion to rice flour- it always tastes so grainy.  But all the chocolate-y goodness worked well with it.  It baked really well, with slightly gooey center (probably due to a terrible oven) and the result- moist, rich brownies.   I topped it off with some bomb ice cream- Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Cookie Dough and Cherry Nirvana- Ohhhh- it was good!

I added a little homemade Chocolate Sauce and some vegan whipped cream (always better when it comes out of a pressurized can).  I would offer the chocolate sauce recipe, but I have never measured anything, well- it goes something like this:

vegan chocolate sauce:

Heat 2 tbsp margarine, add a couple handfuls of sugar, mix until melted, add a splash of vanilla, and some soy milk (maybe 1/2 cup??), once good and hot add cocoa (I dump it until it looks like it will thicken), and stir until it begins to get thick and delicious looking- if you want it fudgey, heat and mix adding soymilk when you need liquid until the sauce is no longer shiny (thank you grandma millie).

mmm....

Turtle food

I have three beautiful box turtles.  Each of them came from a bad situation and I hope that we provide at least an adequate existence for them.  

My first turtle Magnolia was hit by a car back in NJ.  She came to me from a friend who does animal rescue who with the help of her vet husband put maggie back together and rehabbed her.  She lost most of a hind leg and a few toes and had s

ome damage to her shell.  So to the missing limb she sometimes gets stuck places so she could not be rereleased.  She is a Eastern box turtle

Salvia and Saffron came to me a little over a year ago from a woman local here in Santa Cruz who unofficially rescues pet turtles.  She had something like 20 box turtles that needed homes.  I was only going to adopt one, but came home with two.  They were pets, probably wild caught and sold into the pet market- they are older/ adults.  Saffron has scars from a dog bite and a hole in his shell that someone drilled to probably chain him up.  I think he was found after escaping.  

In the warmer months I keep Salvia and Saffron outside all day and Magnolia visits during the warmer hours of the day.  They hunt for snails, slugs, and pill bugs and I supplement them with fantastic organic veggies and fruit with occasional protein.

I spend more time everyday feeding the turtles than I do my 4 other pets (dogs and cats).  They are in for the winter so it takes time in addition to making their food to clean and make sure their heat and humidity are good.

Since I prepare food everyday for them- even when I'm not cooking for my family, I thought I would share some of the things they like to eat:

fried eggs and egg shell

melons

lettuce mix

fresh strawberries and tomatoes (store bought not as interesting turns out!)

grated squash

blueberries

kale

mango

Making up for lost time...

Who doesn't love a giveaway!!

Modish is giving away all these beautiful handmade goodies!

Giveaway ends on Sunday night!!

Check out the blog and the giveaway!

PS- politiks

Thank goodness for California as Prop 2 passed!!! If you voted or supported it- thank you so much!  (I speak for the chickens)

Shame on California for passing Prop 8. 

Tomorrow our little family of three will take part in the international protest against prop 8- you can find more information about it and a local near you at jointheimpact

Get involved!! 

Saffron and Salvia the rescue turtles

san fran part I...

Well, it's been awhile since I picked up the ol' keyboard, work has been busy and with a 5 month old in the house you never know when the opportunity will arise for showering, blogging, reading, eating, etc.  I don't know where time goes, but I imagine it's the same place as all our socks.

An update on the food elimination trial for the baby's skin-

I am back on soy (thank god! have you ever met a vegan that didn't eat soy? I have, but he really only ate sprouts and I don't like sprouts that much).  So only wheat/ gluten (yes two different allergies, but for my purposes omitted together) and nuts are void from my diet these days.

So.. in rejoicing in the re-admittance of soy into my diet I went to san fran twice last week to see my awesome friend Margy while she was there for a conference.

First on Thursday eve I met her at her hotel room and we drove the less than one mile to a chinese restaurant (that was supposed to have fantastic veggie meat alternatives.  Without eating wheat (and yes, I realized later that almost all soy sauce has wheat, so probably ate wheat with this meal- it's like starting to be vegan all over again!) we choose some tofu based dishes.  We got a tofu with mixed veggie sort of dish- which was standard and a lemon curd yuba dish.  I've tried yuba (it's the skin off the milk when they make the tofu) in a few different forms.  This was not one of my favorites.  It was fried and it left the roof of my mouth scratched and sore.  But for some reason it's chewiness and super sweet lemony sauce made me keep eating it.  And then my mouth was even more raw and sore.

On Saturday we tried to eat at Greens a place I've always wanted to patronize, but the Gods were not in our favor, as the pouring rain cancelled our picnic of Greens to Go, as did the fact that we walked in at 5:05, which was 5 minutes to late for their to go counter and a cranky baby wasn't going to fly in a nice restaurant like Greens.  So we went to the Herbivore, an old standby and a little more forgiving for baby noise.  Dinner didn't go so well, with Margy and I taking turns to eat so that one of us could walk with the baby.  Yep, he wasn't ready.

the Herbivore is good though, and they had something for me with my dietary issues (pad thai with a tomato base, no nuts!).  We seem to go to the Herbivore every time we are in San Fran- which is fine I enjoy it and they have vegan breakfast foods which is my most favorite food to eat out.  But this is like, um- trip number 6 that involved the herbivore- so it's time for something different.  Any suggestions?

part II.... Maggie Mudd and my ice cream obsession

I will leave you with a little bit to be thankful for- more pictures of our free ranging neighborhood turkeys- there were at least 30!! in our driveway on Monday!  And today I counted 31 in the yard behind the house.  I might argue that is too many turkeys in one place.  I feel like we live on a turkey farm.  My dog is sick from eating lord knows how much turkey poop.  But two of our neighbors feed them the best turkey food on the market and it's paying off, that and our dwindling population of coyotes, and I'm sure they are too big for the bobcat to take on now... who released these things?? (the USFWS) 

Look at these handsome boys!!

Country Girl Gardens

When back in Tacoma (my sort-of hometown) last May I stumbled upon Country Girl Gardens in the middle of this giant, awesome flea-market like building called Sanford and Son Antiques.  I think this maze of shopping intensity has probably been in its downtown tacoma location for some time, and I may have even been there before, but wow! this time I was truly into this place.  There are tattoo parlors, handmade clothing, retro everything, antiques, etc. etc.  

But, back to Country Girl.  Among all this chaos was this lovely little shop with beautiful organic clothes and handmade lotions and bath products.  There was a little kitchen set up right behind the counter where all the action happened.  The woman (the owner I think) in the store was super nice and had some suggestions for my expanding belly (I was almost 8 months pregnant at the time).  Anyways, not all her products are vegan (beeswax) but I bought a wonderful tin of the dark chocolate mint body butter.  Let me tell you- I'm not one to use products on my skin.  But, I want to lick this stuff right off.  The smell is so awesome I can't even believe it.  I frequently forget it's in my night stand, so that every time I find it- it's a real treat!   Anyways, check out her website  I think you would like what she has- and it's always good to support a sister with a small business.

VOTE

Don't forget to VOTE!!!! 

Thank your polling people for their long underpaid day!!

You could even make them delicious vegan cupcakes

Soup and Stout.... mmmmm

Listening to Obama's last big rally... feeling hopeful.... feeling nervous... he's in Manassas- I grew up next that little strip mall city- who knew there were so many dems?

so last night was a special cookin night- soup and beer!

I made a yam, sweet potato, squash soup with Quinoa and Butter beans- it was so! good

It was my last night of beans (today I started soy- kicked it off with a vegan chocolate shake from Saturn Cafe).  

For the soup (inspiration came from the Mothers Vegetarian Cookbook):

2 acorn squash

1 yam

1 sweet potato

4 cloves of garlic

6 cups of water

2 tablespoons of grated ginger

2 cups of cooked quinoa

3 cups of canned butter beans

1 handful of chopped parsley

1/2 cup of tahini

I peeled and cubed two acorn squash one yam and one sweet potato (this took forever!), peeled garlic and sliced the garlic into chunks.  Sauteed the garlic in the bottom of the soup pot in a little olive oil, added the water and squash.  I had lots of time between putting the kidlet to sleep and trying to help the husband make beer- so I cooked the squash and roots until they were very soft.  Once all cooked I let it cool a bit.  Then I threw into a blender the tahini and ginger, then added the squash/ root mush.  I blended until almost smooth ( I like squash soups a little chunky).  After blending in two batches I poured it all back into the pot, added cooked quinoa, parsley, and beans.  Then warmed it all up- it was fantastic.  Topped it off with a tiny bit of maple syrup and some pumpkin seeds I roasted from our jack-o-lantern.

For the beer- Tyler used a kit from the local home brew store.  It was for a delicious smelling stout.  He added some organic dark roast coffee grounds to add to the coffeeness that makes stout amazing.  The 'tea' smelled like chocolate and coffee ( I am salivating just thinking about it, see picture of the inside of the tea bag below- I'm sure this has a technical name, but I have no idea what it is).

And after cooling, filtering, spilling, and adding yeast it is ready to sit for a few weeks to become the beer goodness that it is going to be! 

Can't wait!

busy busy

It's that time of year! I love California because you can pumpkin pick in short sleeves.  Making beer and soup tonight, baby's fussy, not much time... 

Blissed Out

Despite the low calories and lack of fattening good things in my diet (cupcakes, cake, chocolate chips, peanut butter, etc.) , I have found a new love. Luna's and Larry's Coconut Bliss is heaven in a carton. I love it. Really, really love it. We now have the Vanilla Island, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Dark Chocolate. I didn't try the Chocolate Hazelnut due to my no nuts diet, but I have been mauwing on the vanilla and just today bought the dark chocolate. 

There is a problem though.. this deliciousness is no good for my waistline (although good on my tastebuds).

I have decided that although I am ingesting at least 60% of my daily saturated fat (wow!) it is totally worth it (assuming I can keep my intake within the serving size, usually hard with ice cream). I bought these on sale at $4.99 per carton, but the flavor is super good. They recommend to let the ice cream sit out for at least 5 minutes before inhaling which I tried once when I was super full (all other times I could not wait the whole five minutes- five minutes is way long when you are waiting for ice cream). I think it's a good idea if you can do it, otherwise it is very firm- exactly how you would imagine frozen coconut milk. The coconut flavor is pretty intense- it would make my friend Timm ill. But at least in the vanilla and the chocolate hazelnut, it is a nice complement to the other flavors. My husband even liked it, which is amazing- he's not usually big on coconut flavors. This stuff is soy and gluten free and most flavors are nut free too (yay!).  Looking forward to the dark chocolate tonight!! 

YES on PROP 2

Hi! I am voting YES on PROP 2 and if you live in California, you should too.

The argument has been raised by some AR (animal rights) groups that this bill does not go far enough and shouldn't be passed.  I understand this argument.  BUT... this is a change that can happen now.  And sure, it's not going to make the life of most animals a whole lot greater, they will still suffer and die.  But, its a wonderful first step.  I am thrilled about the work of Wayne Pacelle the current head of the Humane Society.  (Read about him in this NYT article).  AR is playing with the big boys of agriculture now.  It's a step AR needed to take.  All of the other AR methods and directions are of course incredibly important and valuable, but all fronts are needed to end the culture of factory farmed food in this nation.  GO PROP 2!!

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Blog 6 take 4

Yep, it's taken me quite some time to get this blog together, and I have no idea why.  

I'm into this blogging thing.  I think about it all the time, I blog in my head.  But,  I think the small child in my lap is sucking the computer based energy out of me and refocusing it on things like- learning to sit on one's own (way more important than the computer).  So here it goes... my garbanzo night!

A few nights ago I soaked some garbanzos- too many garbanzos.

So I had a lot of bean and need some inspiration.  I turned to a relavtively new cookbook on the shelf, The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook (to learn more about Cathe Olson the author, click here).  My husband bought this cookbook when we learned we were going to have a baby and in my first trimester I had no desire to abandon my vegan diet (although, I admit I was willing- that mother thing takes over you, and you are willing to sacrifice anything for the good of your child).  He was nervous about everything and although he had never been anything but supportive about my diet, he also knew that occasionally I only eat cake for a day or two at a time.  

So this cookbook- I enjoy it.  I feel as if it has a lot of ingredients that are already in our kitchen, which I admit is one of the big draws for me to any cookbook.  

So this special garbanzo night I made homemade falafel and crunchie chick peas with root vegetables.

We are big fans of falafel and not only was it good, but it was super easy to make.  You can see Olson's cookbook for the details, but I'll give you the jist of it here.

Process beans, lemon juice, parsley (we were out of onion which was really too bad and I think would have really helped), garlic, salt, and some other things I can't remember right now.

Let it sit for an hour, then make some nice patties.  Bake them or fry them and voila!  You have falafel.  Mix up some tahini sauce (also a recipe in Olson's book) to top your cooked patties.  

Crunchy Garbanzos consisted of cooked beans tossed with olive oil, salt, and spicy curry powder.  I used a premade curry powder mix we had stashed away.  I also baked them for longer than suggested  (maybe 45 minutes total?).  They were pretty delicious (these pictues make them look like lowly, beans, but no! they were special beans with a spicy kick).  

the final product: falafel with lemon tahini sauce on corn tortillas (not eating wheat remember?), some romaine lettuce, root vegetable salad, and I added a little black bean and corn salsa to add a kick.  I think it may have been a little better if I found an onion hiding in the kitchen.  But all together, easy and delicious.  

Day 5 Eats

Breakfast (mostly all week): corn flakes, rice milk, and bannana

Lunch: leftovers or corn chowder

Dinner: beans beans and more beans

But last night I has a wonderful meal

Thank you mother... Brown rice with sauteed vegetables in a delicious marinara I have never tried before, mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil

Why do things always taste better when someone else makes it and then does the dishes?

So this marinara- all organic, label says its from San Fran (not too far from us), surprisingly good (I'm not normally fond of the premade tomato sauces due to their tomato paste taste, I am a fan of their convenience though!), you could actually taste the onion in it.  And, well, its from Costco.  The company's website is: www.davesgourmet.com

ps- I have only been eating beans for days, so if in reality this sauce is not the oasis of deliciousness I am describing, you can understand why

  

Oh... my lovely husband is away at a seminar this weekend and the little one and I had the bed all to ourselves- I had so much room although I was battling the cats for it all night.  

On a different note: My dear friend Xanadu got me hooked on facebook, which is now my new obsession.  Somehow I make time for all the unimportant things in life and no time for things like long hot showers and sleep.  Are you dear blogworld hooked too?

Not for Eatin'

Residents of our neighborhood (there are 13!) 

Safe from ovens this holiday season (but not from coyotes and bobcats)

Day 4 of a diet void of soy

Well, I ate red beans for three days.  I froze the rest of them- I couldn't eat anymore!  

I managed one more meal of corn tortillas, beans, brown rice, and a stir-fry of yam, sweet potato, onion, and other stray veggies before I banished the beans to the depths of the freezer.

 

Last night we were nourished with delicious yellow mung bean dal (thank you mom).  I add some gluten/ soy free mini pizzas (cheese added for my dairy consumers, mushrooms leftout for my mushroom avoider, and artichokes skipped for the soyless- they were soaked in soy oil! a shame!), salad, and a dessert of baked apples.  

The apples cooked too long and the mini pizzas were dry and crumbly around the edge and undercooked in the center. 

 I used a gluten free baking mix that called for soy yogurt, which i am not eating.  I replaced it with extra rice milk- this I think is where the mini pizzas went wrong.  But... I didn't have to eat anymore red beans. Thank god.  I am going to be soaking chickpeas next (mmm... hummous, curry, what else?).  I will be entering the blogosphere for inspiration.  

Day 2: No Wheat, Soy, or Nuts and yes I am still vegan

Baby boy has been having some skin issues, so I am doing my part in helping him out.  As I am his only sources of food, I am cutting nearly everything I eat out of my diet.  So the adventure begins!  Today is Day 2.  I soaked a big pit of red beans last night and today cooked them up into a cajun inspired stew, add a little brown rice, salad with vinaigrette and it's dinner.  For breakfast I have been indulging in coconut yogurt, corn flakes with rice milk, and fruit.  Lunch is corn chowder (16 grams of protein per serving!).  I must say I am dying for one of the pumpkin spice cupcakes with pumpkin cream cheese frosting I made over the past weekend for baby's first halloween, but I have 3+ weeks to go! Wish me luck!  

testing, testing, 1, 2, .......3

"Tacoma, tacoma, tacoma is my town"  --- Public Bun (circa 1990's)