anchovypie:

Happiness is a giant vegan cookie.

It is totally true. Alternative Baking Company makes the best cookies in the world.

I had some seen some pictures of french toast on someone’s blog, and had a horrible craving.

So, yesterday morning I decided to try a “vegan french toast.”  Most recipes that you find call for bananas, so I took my cue from that. 

Not how you think it would start.

I personally don’t think it should be called “French Toast” at all-it tastes too banana-y. I do think that whatever you want to call it-it was yummy. And, if you are a banana/peanut butter fan, you really should give it a shot…vegan or not.

To the bananas (2 bananas made 4 pieces) I added about a 1/2 cup of soy milk, a splash of olive oil and a teaspoon of flour.  And then, every kid-at-heart’s favorite part-I got to mash them together.

After coating the bread in the mush, fry for a few moments on each side until golden brown, just like you would with normal french toast.

Okay, so it didn’t look great while cooking.  One note-I put Earth Balance in the pan to keep it from sticking-and I think that’s key, because the bananas definitely do.

I will say the consistency does turn out the same.  Probably hence the name.

When finished, Boy ate his with maple syrup, but I opted to coat my in peanut butter, a fantastic call on my part. 

For real, can we just screw term limits and crown him King?  Please??

Necessity is the mother of invention, right?  I really liked the dinner I threw together last night based on what I had in the house (I’m reminded as I eat the leftovers right now), and New Boy (not a vegan..or vegetarian, for that matter)  seemed to like it as well.

The meal-

In a skillet I mixed:

• Fresh broccoli
• Baby carrots, chopped
• Canned green beans (the french cut kind)
• Canned corn
• Vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Dash of Italian dressing

I cooked until the vegetables were done, though, I my gripe is that my carrots were still too firm, so noted for next time.
Set aside the vegetable mixture.

Then, in the same skillet:

• Crumbled meatless meatballs
• Drained can of kidney beans
• Canned diced tomatoes

Cooked until heated through.  

In a baking dish I layered the vegetables, then the meat, and then made instant mashed potatoes (made w/ cocunut milk). I drizzled the extra sauce from the veggies over the top and baked for about 10 minutes.

Good the second day as well!

vegansaurus:

Vegan Mozzarella Sticks! We can get fatter and unhealthier by the second. Thank Chicago Soy Dairy for Teese.

This is actually the perfect use for the new Teese. It comes in the tube so it’s easy to cut out chunks, cover in delicious batter, and then fry! Plus, unlike the old Teese recipe, it stretches! I cannot wait to eat a metric ton of these suckers.

[via yummyvegan via hellyeahitsvegan (our FAVE!)]

I just actually started salavating over the Teese website.  Time for lunch. 

LOVE the chorizo. Trader Joe’s is just about my favorite place on the planet, I have to admit.  Would drive there for their meatless meatballs alone.

A few weeks ago, out of desperation one Saturday morning, I came up with my new favorite weekend breakfast.  I’ve been meaning to share it with you guys.   Typically I would make more of a tofu scramble, but since I like the baked tofu  I have found a way to use that instead.

My favorite brand of baked tofu is Wild Wood (the savory flavor is amazing).

(The Trader Joe’s brand is good too).

I dice up one square (per wrap) and saute it in a bit of vegetable oil.

Then I add the veggies, all diced as well. I’ve done a mixture, but have found my favorite combo is: Mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke and fresh spinach.  (I’m pretty sure the sun-dried tomatoes are the key). Stir and cook for a few minutes on medium heat.

To add more flavor and keep the wrap from being too dry, I then stir in about a 1/2 cup of hummus.  I am really big fan of Sabra hummus, and though it is not typically my choice, for this meal I like the Roasted Garlic flavor.  If you use a different one, I’d suggest a little garlic powder for taste.

After heating through, I use the filling on what is probably my #1 refrigerator staple:  the spinach wrap

And enjoy!  I’m telling you-it takes less than 10 minutes to make and is amazing.  My non-veg friends that have tried it have been totally happy as well. 

Hello young world! Who likes chocolate? EVERYBODY! So today I present to you the three vegan chocolate spreads that are near and dear to my stomach. Warning: they are all kind of expensive. Sorry.

Let’s kick things off with I.M. Healthy chocolate soy nut butter. This is not as chocolaty…

This pretty much brought tears to my eyes.

chemicalfreeskinny:

RECIPE:  Sensational Breakfast Smoothie

_______________

INGREDIENTS

• 6 dates
• ¼ cup almonds
• 5 walnut halves
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds

• 1 medium banana
• ½ mango
  ½ avocado
• 2-¼ cup rice milk
• 1 Tbsp lecithin granules
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• ½ tsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Soak the dates, almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds overnight in 2 cups of water. Drain and set aside. Place all the ingredients in a blender and whiz for 2 minutes. Serve in tall glasses with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. You can use other fruit in season.

(Source: asm.org.au)

If someone would go get me the stuff for one of these and bring it to me this morning I would marry and/or have sex with them (depending on their preference, really). 

chemicalfreeskinny:

RECIPES: ORGANIC COCKTAILS

(Click photo)

Time check: 9:30 Am.  Already? In desperate need of one of these.

$$ Saver! 

The Clean 15: Foods You Don’t Have to Buy Organic 

PS. Yeah, don’t think for a second I didn’t pick the papaya picture to post because it was the one that looked dirty. 

Chart: Fast Food Facts

I don’t really do fast food-not a lot of vegan options, but I can say that’s more than I needed to know about fountain drinks and Subway.  

(click through for bigger)

Pretty much my life.

azspot:

Andy Singer

A one-year-old McDonald’s Happy Meal.

My Happy Meal is one year old today and it looks pretty good. It NEVER smelled bad. The food did NOT decompose. It did NOT get moldy, at all.

McDonald’s Happy Meals Evidently Invincible

Include helping in the prevention of:

Cardiovascular disease. Eating nuts and whole grains, while eliminating dairy products and meat, will improve your cardiovascular health. A British study indicates that a vegan diet reduces the risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Vegan diets go far in preventing heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol. Eliminating any food that comes from an animal and you will eliminate all dietary cholesterol from your diet. Your heart will thank you for that.

Blood pressure. A diet rich in whole grains is beneficial to your health in many ways, including lowering high blood pressure

Type 2 diabetes. Not only is a vegan diet a weapon against Type 2 diabetes, it is also “easier to follow than the standard diet recommended by the American Diabetic Association.” Read more about it here.

Prostate cancer. A major study showed that men in the early stages of prostate cancer who switched to a vegan diet either stopped the progress of the cancer or may have even reversed the illness.

Colon cancer. Eating a diet consisting of whole grains, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, can greatly reduce your chances of colon cancer.

Breast cancer. Countries where women eat very little meat and animal products have a much lower rate of breast cancer than do the women in countries that consume more animal products.

Macular degeneration. Diets with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, can help prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration.

Cataracts. Much the same way macular degeneration is headed off by a vegan diet, cataracts are also thought to be prevented through the intake of the same fruits and vegetables. Produce high in antioxidants are also believed to help prevent cataracts.

Arthritis. Eliminating dairy consumption has long been connected with alleviating arthritis symptoms, but a new study indicates that a combination of gluten-free and vegan diet is very promising for improving the health of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoporosis. Bone health depends on a balance of neither too much or too little protein, adequate calcium intake, high potassium, and low sodium. With a healthy vegan diet, all four of these points set a perfect scenario for preventing osteoporosis.