Make-Up Meal

After failing to prepare lunch everyday like I had originally planned, I decided to prepare a make-up meal. Teaching, marking, chores and studying for my Master's degree simply became too much to handle and I was just unable to prepare lunch as I had planned. To console myself, I decided to prepare a meal that would make all my worries go away.

I began with two recipes I viewed this week on a blog I recently discovered. The Minimalist Baker has simple, but tasty recipes. I tried the No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream. Too good, Too GOOD! I paired this with some vanilla cupcakes, also from the Minimalist Baker. I love this site and can't wait to use this same recipe for my son's birthday party.

The main course consisted of Kale Salad which I found in Salad Samurai, Lentil Walnut Loaf (Oh She Glows), Yellow Rice, Roasted Vegetables and Sauteed Green Beans.

It was all worth it! I felt comforted and less guilty for not preparing lunch everyday. I don't know if I will meet my goals this week, but I will surely try!

Have I failed to lunch?

The pressures of a new school year and Master's Programme have begun to slow me down. Last week was great, I saved money, enjoyed great lunches and even dropped a pound or two. Yet, this week has gotten off to a slow start. Yesterday's lunch was simply a flour tortilla smeared with hummus and lots of fruit. Last night was spent trying to complete a paper that is due TODAY, so today's lunch will simply be some leftovers.

After preparing chickpea cutlets with mushroom gravy for Sabbath dinner, I had some Baby Bella Mushrooms left. I decided to use them along with onions, bell peppers and garlic to spice up some store bought tomato sauce. I served with thin spaghetti and topped with leftover veggie Parmesan made from pecans and nutritional yeast. This will serve as today's lunch. Hopefully, I will get back on track today. I have a great recipe from Salad Samurai bookmarked for tomorrow's lunch.

No Failure to Lunch- Flavor Packed Edition!

I am a big fan of Angela Liddon of the Oh She Glows Blog. I don't remember how I discovered her, but I did and I love almost every recipe I have ever tried from her site. I even pre-ordered her cookbook, counting down the minutes till it arrived. I must recommend the brownies and chocolate cake from The Oh She Glows Cookbook. Better than any I have ever had, vegan or not.

So,when I was looking for lunch ideas I immediately thought of the Cumin Black Bean Quinoa Salad . I have made this a few times before and always enjoyed. I subbed brown rice for Quinoa, since it is just too expensive here. The flavor develops as time passes, so its best to prepare the night before.

It's now time to plan for lunch next week. Any ideas?

Re-Purposing Leftovers! Vegan MOFO

On Monday, I used Nature's Vegetarian Patties with Pasta Salad to create a really great lunch. I was blown away by how the flavors in the Pasta Salad magnified overnight. Delicious! I have definitely added this to my list of regular lunch options.

Well, I had quite a few patties left over. I am not much of a sandwich fan, so I never felt motivated to use the patties to make sandwiches. My sister has been packing wraps for her family and raves about them constantly. So I decided to re-purpose my patties and use them in wraps. The patties can be a little dry, so I searched my freezer for something to kick it up a notch. I found leftover cheeze that had been used to make pizza. I found this winner of a recipe in Dreena Burton's Plant Powered Kitchen, the original recipe uses Spinach which I left out. I also used tomatoes, onions and lettuce, better than any wrap I would have bought and much cheaper!

First Day of School and No Failure to Lunch

Wow! First Day of School and first day of Vegan MOFO. Does any teacher sleep the night before? I woke up so many times to do the count down... 2 more hours, 1 more hour, 35 more minutes. What will this new year bring? That's the thing about teaching, it is so unpredictable. Every year and even day is so different from the last. Oh boy, now my stomach is full of first day butterflies.

So let me think about something that will calm my nerves- LUNCH! My theme is "No Failure to Lunch" because this school year I plan to do lunch right. Healthy, Filling and Delicious! Due to a new safety rule about microwaves, my lunch has to also be something that can be eaten cold. Currently I am having a love affair with Mason Jars, so expect to see them featured prominently.

Today's Lunch.....

Veggie Pasta Salad with Nature's Vegetarian Burger

Pasta Salad is so quick and easy. I simply boiled some penne pasta and tossed with veggies. I used what I had on hand:broccoli, sweet peas, onion, bell pepper, corn and a half of a tomato left over from sandwich making. I love Nature's Vegetarian Burger, you add hot water to a vegan mix of grains and form into patties. Tasty, and cheaper than frozen patties.

I plan to enjoy my first day of school, especially lunch time! What are you having for lunch today?