Oh Happy Day!

I have been reading and drooling about this product for a while now thanks to my fellow ppk-ers. I forgot to grab torts during my quick market run so on the way to the check out I thought I'd look for it, just for fun. I wish I could have seen how my face lit up when I spied it on the very top shelf next to the Earth Balance Peanut Butter and Maranatha Almond Butter. On second thought, I am kind of glad no one saw how excited I was since they wouldn't understand anyway. I've yet to try it but I have already read tons of suggestions that I am trying to erase from my mind (sort of). I am most tempted to make smores with it, thanks Liz! I wanted to get back to running, this is definitely going to force that to happen.

Vegan Mofo IV Week 4: Dip Baby Dip

Since I slacked on my Thanksgiving menu I asked my sister what else she wanted to eat and she said to make Spinach Artichoke Dip. I bought most of what I thought I would need and then I consulted the PPK for guidance. The most popular suggestion was the Vegan Mouse's recipe. I knew they wouldn't steer me wrong and luckily I only needed one more ingredient for the dip, plus some bread/chips to dip in it.

We picked my uncle up from the train station and on the way home stopped at the store for the last minute items. Then I hurried around like a fool chopping veggies for the dip and for stuffing. Everything for the dip smelled and looked so good, I couldn't wait to get it in the oven. Since my dad made turkey, I had to use the toaster oven, which was okay since my baking dish fit perfectly. I followed the recipe but also sprinkled a bit of daiya on top. When it was time to take it out of the oven, it was tough to pack it up and take it away without trying it.

As soon as we got to my aunt's we tore into it. We probably stood over the dish for about five minutes stuffing our faces before we offered it to anyone else. My sister was a better sharer than me, offering tastes to my mom, my aunt and my grandma. I just kept serving myself. I know we could have ate the whole thing between us, but everyone else who tried it agreed it was quite tasty. It's great to have another go-to option to bring to functions. There was a little bit left over so we brought it home, but as of this entry it's already been devoured. I can't wait to make this again. I'm thinking of making a mini happy hour at home pretty soon.

Vegan Mofo IV Day 3: Tempeh Helper

For tonight's dinner I made Isa's Tempeh Helper. I had most of the ingredients on hand since I've been wanting to make it ever since I read it on the ppk blog. Why the procrastination? I have no idea, but I won't let it happen again. It turned out great, even though I made a teeny tiny mistake.

Instead of using Frontier Chicken Broth powder for the helper and for the sauce, I only used two tablespoons of c.b.p. in the sauce. I thought they were the same until I was starting the sauce and didn't have enough left in one packet and opened another.Why were they two different colors? Oh because they are two different powders! Since it was my first time making it, I'm not sure how "off" it is for mixing flavors. I definitely want to try it again using all chicken or all veg broth powder.

I'm starting to get a head cold so I was too stuffed up to really taste it, but my sister said it was good and my niece ate hers up without too much resistance. She usually tries to pick apart new dishes to find an excuse to not eat them, but tonight she was open to it. She loved the cheezy sauce. We also had some sauteed spinach which I mixed in with my second helping and gobbled it all up. You're supposed to feed a cold, right?

That's it for now. I've got to get some tea, take Penny for a final walk and start resting so I can be a better mofo mañana.

Mo! Fo! Let's go!

I love that the first day of Vegan Mofo IV also falls on World Vegan Day. Let's keep the festival of firsts rolling.

Today I made my first recipe from Appetite for Reduction, Quinoa, White Bean and Kale Stew. As a vegan chubster, to say I am eagerly anticipating the release of this book is an understatement. I already pre-ordered my copy, but only noticed a few days ago there were teaser recipes on the ppk. Since I have white beans coming out of my ears and I love soups and stews, I couldn't wait to try this recipe, especially since it was raining when I read it. I bought all my ingredients and then came home to find out the forecast for this week is high 80's to low 90's which only bummed me out for a second since I knew the stew would still be amazing.

This was my first time using parsnips and fennel seed. I've wanted to try a dish with parnsips for about a year now but just haven't for some ridiculous reason. I have extra parsnips, carrots and potatoes left over so I'm thinking a roasted vegetable dish should be happening sometime later in the week. I haven't planned a Thanksgiving menu yet so I'll most likely be trying a recipe or two each week until I get it right. I have a pile of tear-outs and copies of wonderful seasonal recipes and I'm sure there are tons of suggestions from fellow mofo's who always inspire (and sometimes intidimidate) me.

I think my stew came out stewier/starchier than Isa's, but it still looks and tastes delicious. I have an omni friend who is trying to make the transition to veganism so I am definitely going to send some her way. We'll turn them all out eventually, one bite at a time.

you can never have too many black t-shirts pt. 2

I think I was 25 when I decided I was offically too old to wear graphic tees. I probably did not wear them often enough to make the rule, which was more like a memo to myself that it was definitely too late to start. Then I had to bend the rule a bit so that I would only wear shirts with stuff printed on them if it was something I cared about or was interested in. If people are gonna stare at your boobs to read your shirt, they should be reading something worthwhile, I think.

I've done a pretty good job of sticking to the amended rule. Most of my printed shirts are about animal, human, women's issues, community events, 5k's I've walked, favorite bands, being vegan, supporting local/small businesses and so on. I've never been a "label/brand" person so these are the few times I will actually label myself.

Tonight I bought two black shirts, one plain (marshall's yo!) and one printed. I was lucky enough to catch an updated ppk blog and see the radness that is this new shirt, soon to be in heavy rotation after it arrives. There are only 42 left so if you want one, get on it. I am going to watch the mailbox like a mofo, can't wait!

p.s. I hope no one minds that I reposted the photo. Thanks!