Lots to Say!

Working on my Master's Degree and starting a new school year has pretty much depleted by brain cells which explains my absence from this blog. I had also began relying heavily on vegan convenience foods, which isn't very interesting to talk about....But I have mended my wicked ways and am back in the kitchen and have actually began buying ingredients again.

 Despite my lack of productivity in the kitchen I have continued expanding my cookbook collection. I think this cookbook has been used more than any other I have ever bought, 150 Best Vegan Muffin Recipes by Camilla V. Saulsbury. This cookbook has changed my life! I whip up a batch of muffins twice a week now, all of the recipes are easy and worth the time spent in the kitchen. Most of the recipes use vegan yogurt which can be found at Solomon's Fresh Market. I mostly use Almond Dream's Vanilla Yogurt which is afford-ably priced and not overly sweet. My favorites are the Chocolate Chip Muffin and Banana Walnut.

I don't usually buy Kindle versions of cookbooks, but had heard so many good things about Dreena Burton's Plant Powered Families that I decided to give it a try and wanted immediate gratification. I have also been having a BIG problem with trying to pack healthy, appealing lunches for my first grader. I hoped that this cookbook would help. So far I have tried about three recipes from this book and was pleased, my favorite has been the chickpea burgers. My entire family absolutely loved them which was a win for me. My only peeve is that all of the baking recipes are gluten free, but overall this is a good book for families trying to feed vegan kids.

Even though I am now a reforming junk foodie, I am happy to see the the wide variety of foods being carried in my local store. I recently found Earth Balance Cheddar Puffs, Popcorn and other items. YAY! I also have to recommend So Delicious Cashew Milk Ice Cream. This is the best vegan ice cream you will ever eat, I promise. These items are pricey, but worth the occasional splurge.

I was led to begin a clean up process in the diet of my family after watching OMG! a documentary about Genetically Modified Foods. I was inspired to start buying organic, until I picked up a pound of organic chickpeas being sold for nine dollars. Nope! Had to purchase the non-organic brand for one dollar and ninety-nine cents. I am trying to use the clean fifteen and dirty dozen resource while shopping. I guess I can aim for something close to perfection.

Unfortunately, my reading has been limited, but I was determined to carve out time to finish this latest book by Lynn Austin. The third book in The Restoration Chronicles, On This Foundation tells the story of Nehemiah who leaves Persia and travels to Jerusalem to lead the building of the wall. The story is familiar, so I think everyone knows how it will end. Yet, Lynn Austin does an excellent job of building suspense and intrigue. Halfway through the book, I read the book of Nehemiah just to check the facts and confirm what I was reading. Lynn Austin is a gifted writer who makes biblical history come to life. I hope this series never ends!

Happy Reading and Eating!

Vegan, Vegan, What do you see?

Vegan, Vegan, What do you see?

I see vegan sausages.
I see vegan pizza.
I see vegan ice cream.
I see vegan food everywhere.

For too long being vegan in paradise meant that food had to be made from scratch all the time! Vegan convenience foods were no where to be found. This is changing, over the past few weeks I have been so pleased to find  the variety improving along with accessibility.

Field Roast Sausages

I first saw this item in Grand Bahama and was overjoyed to see it in my local Solomon's Fresh Market. This was awesome served in gravy over grits for breakfast and then simply fried with Patatas Bravas (a recipe I found on The Minimalist Baker's blog). It is very expensive, but good for an occasional treat.
                                                 

Daiya Pizza

I had taken to ordering a cheese-less pizza from my local pizza place, but never found this particularly satisfying. I then, started making my own pizza (Best Recipe Ever-Deep Dish Pizza in But I Could Never Go Vegan). I love making my own pizza, but there are times when I feel like eating but not cooking. Enter my new favorite, Daiya Pizza from SUPER VALUE Winton. When I saw this in the freezer I did a happy dance and even squealed. I had heard about it, but never had the pleasure. So worth it!! I had the Roasted Vegetable, but will be going back to try the others.


                                               

Now to the best part-- Ice Cream! I love Ice Cream! I have missed Ice Cream! Yes, I bought an ice cream maker and a ice cream cook book. Unfortunately, I have never been successful with this. I had the great fortune to try So Delicious Ice Cream while visiting Florida, so I was happy to celebrate my birthday with the almond chocolate bars. Dinner was made complete with the Mocha Almond Fudge flavor. The items are pricey, think over ten dollars for a pint of ice cream. This will be a rare treat for me. You can find this at Solomon's Fresh Market at Harbour Bay.

                                                    

I have seen some other items that I plan to try as soon as I can. I love cooking at home, but am glad to see the variety of vegan foods expanding.

Vegan Cuts- October

As you may now know I bestowed a three month subscription to Vegan Cuts Snack Box upon myself. October was the second month of my subscription and I wasn't blown away by this box. It had items that just didn't blow me away. But nevertheless, here they are:

I have heard about Zatar and was curious to taste the spice. It was interesting , but I am not a fan of chips that are a blend of stuff. This chip has black beans as one of the many ingredients. I left half the bag for my hubby, that says it all!

I love chocolate, and Vegan Chocolate is not always available. This dark chocolate was blended with berry and cherry flavors. Good!

I had totally intended to save this for my son, but somehow ended up polishing off the entire pack. It is a good alternative to the "fruit" snacks found in lunch bags.

Honestly, I have not tried this veggie protein powder as yet. I will let you know if it has the chalky taste of other powders.

I love popcorn, but hated this. I have never tasted anything flavored with truffles and never will again. I would like to try other flavors by POP ART.



I love chocolate and like coconut so this was something I thought I would love. Unfortunately, I did not. My husband though, liked it so much that I am checking local stores for it and may order a batch.

I love tea! Nothing brightens my day like sitting and sipping a hot cup of tea. I have seen this product in my local Fresh Market but never gave it a second glance. WOW! The flavors I got were...... CHOCOLATE! Yes, chocolate tea. Genius! This was so good. I plan to seek and find, then enjoy every single day.

I am not much of a soda fan, but someone who wants to drink soda without worrying about calories, sugar or artificial sweeteners might like this. My local Fresh Market carries this, so I have recommended this to my dieting friends who need soda like I need tea.

This box didn't blow my mind, but I definitely enjoy receiving it each month. I may decide to give myself another subscription, just to celebrate my awesomeness.