Bad Vegan Food!

I finally get it!


Why people think Vegan Food is yucky, weird, even gross, this is what I finally get.


I was invited to a banquet at a friend's church and was ecstatic to discover that a vegan caterer would be preparing the meal. No need to ask questions or wonder-everything would be vegan.


I knew that the attitudes of those around me would be different from mine, but I expected them to be blown away. I know that vegan food can be great! What a let down!


The food was absolutely awful, the flavor combinations were weird and the execution was just so poorly done. I felt so sad to see plates full of food being taken out by the wait staff.


Yet, what made me even sadder was the expressions of the other guests, "Whose idea was it to have vegan food?" I wanted everyone to be wowed and think, "Being vegan isn't bad at all, I might try that." Instead most people left with a firm prejudice in their minds against vegan food. Perhaps I should invite them to my house and cook from......

The Oh She Glows Cookbook- Cookbook Review

I was anticipating this cookbook for months. I preordered in October, it was released in February. I love this book. I have tried recipe after recipe and everything is so good.


I am especially loving the Maple Apple and Pear Baked Oatmeal. The Apple Pie Oatmeal has been featured two mornings in a row now.


Get this cookbook!!!!! You will not regret it.


In fact I brought the baked oatmeal for one of my coworkers who stated that she needed the recipe. See, vegan food can be good-one person down, just a few hundred thousand to go.

Book Review-Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

I must begin by saying that I love practically everything Janette Oke has ever written. I especially enjoy her books that feature the Canadian West.


In this book Beth leaves her comfortable life to be a teacher, her trip begins with a mishap that allows her to be accepted in the mining town she is now living in. Beth's school house is actually a tavern/pool hall filled with children of all ages who are challenging to teach but of course delightful, (if only my students could be so willing!). Beth is a do-gooder who does her best to right every wrong she encounters in this town, but she does it with so much grace that it never becomes annoying.


I found the history lesson about miners coming from France to Canada to work in the mines interesting and was amazed at the amount of prejudice they faced. This book is the beginning of a series and though we are left wondering what will happen to Beth next I didn't feel shortchanged in the way I normally do after reading the first book in a series.


I would recommend this book to loyal Oke fans and others who are looking for heartwarming, historical, Christian fiction.


A free copy of this book was provided by Bethany House Publishers.

Cookbook News

As you may know I use lots of recipes from Angela at www.ohsheglows.com. I have never had a recipe from her site fail- which for me is saying a lot! So, I was ultra excited to preorder her upcoming cookbook that will be released this month. I absolutely cannot wait!! You can preorder the Oh She Glows cookbook at www.amazon.com.

Cook Book Heaven

I recently told someone that I needed to build a bookshelf in my kitchen. My cookbook collection is growing steadily. The variety of Vegan cookbooks is amazing. I recently added two to my collection.





Happy Herbivore: Light and Lean


This book talks about being Plant Based rather than Vegan. The recipes are low fat and do not use ANY oil. I decided that I want to lose a few pounds and decided to get this book for some healthy vegan recipes. I have enjoyed most of what I have made, everything is really simple. These are real 30 minute meals. I have not had any success with the baking recipes in this book- in fact all of them have been an absolute failure, so I gave up on that aspect of the book.


I did some research on a Plant Based Lifestyle and came across Better Than Vegan The recipes in this book are a little more labor intensive than Happy Herbivore but seem to be more flavorful and complex. My entire family enjoyed the Portobello Bourginon- Delicious!


In my quest to get slim I have subscribed to Happy Herbivore meal plans . Every Wednesday a new meal plan is sent for the week. This is my second week on the plan and I have found the meals to be pretty satisfying and my clothes are already feeling a little looser.

Book Review- All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

I love history! I will read a historical book about almost anything and absolutely love historical fiction. The book "All Things Hidden" details the Matanuska Colonization that took place in Alaska as a response to the Great Depression. 200 families were chosen to settle an area in Alaska, given homes and land. This story tells of some of the challenges they faced through the eyes of the main character Gywn, a young woman who helps her father, a doctor treat the newcomers and native people of Alaska.


Gywn has a lot of baggage, a mother and sister who deserted Alaska and her for the good life in Chicago. Gywn also has a problem with worry and there are a lot of great quotes from her adopted grandmother about this. My only complaint with this book was the character Clarence who seemed like he was interjected because there needed to be a bad guy.


I think there was enough drama with the settlers, their health, Gywn's mother and sister, prejudice, Gwyn's relationship with Jeremiah, even the weather. This character was just not necessary. I wish the author had developed the story with Gywn's mother and resolved that- I really wanted to know how they felt about Gywn's marriage and if the prayers of many had wrought any changes.


I would recommend this book mostly because of the rich history, the story was just ok.

What's for lunch?

"What you having for lunch today?" My coworkers and I ask this question everyday and the usual answer for me is, "I brought leftovers." But sometimes leftovers don't quite cut it or I am tired of my own food, on these days I want the ease of going somewhere to buy lunch- yet as a vegan this is not always possible. Fortunately the market seems to be demanding more healthy, delicious vegan food and Facebook seems to be driving this trend. So far I have seen two vegan food delivery businesses and one vegan restaurant. YAY! Finally good vegan food for lunch.

1. Nature's Vegan Restaurant- Chef Amunet, formally of Delancey Towne Vegan Restaurant now has a delivery business. I have used this service twice. Great food! Lunch is only available Wednesday-Friday and usually cost about ten dollars.

https://www.facebook.com/NaturesVEGANrestaurant

2. Eat Right Delights- One of my coworkers told me about this service, but I have yet to try it. I plan to sample lunch this week.

https://www.facebook.com/eatrightdelights

3. Da Bahamian Vegan- Gio Cooper is well known in Bahamian vegan circles. Formerly his service was home based delivery but now he has opened a restaurant on Delancey Street. I have not yet had a chance to sample his food at the restaurant but have seen him at various events around Nassau and his food always pleases.

https://www.facebook.com/dabahamianvegan

Vegan lunch made easy!

A New Year

New Year's Eve- the last day of 2013. Where did this year go? This year has been marked with so many tragedies and few triumphs. We look into 2014 with uncertainty, but hope. I think everyone looks to the new year thinking of things they would like to do differently, things they want to leave behind and change.

 In 2014 I can think of some things I plan to do-

1. Eat Better!

Despite the fact that I have been living a vegan lifestyle, I have certainly indulged in a lot of vegan junk food. I want to change that in 2014 and eat more plant-based foods. I have subscribed to Vegetarian Times and plan to spend even more time in the kitchen in 2014.

2.  Live Better!

Last night at church the pastor spoke about optimism and pessimism and I thought I am a true pessimist. This year I want to let positivity in. Look at the glass half full instead of half empty.

3. Be Better!

Exercise is something I have always hated. This year I would like to engage in it periodically, not just for the dream body but for relaxation and the calmness that comes after a good workout.

What will you do better in 2014?

Thanksgiving Redo-Anticipating Christmas

Oh Where, Oh Where has the time/year gone?
Wow! December 17, I can hardly believe it. Just a few weeks ago I was spending most of my time reading recipes trying to decide what to prepare for "Thanksgiving." I do say Thanksgiving with a bit of a smirk, because here in The Bahamas where this is not a holiday, Thanksgiving seems to be only about the FOOD. I finally found the recipes I wanted to try but wait.... Angela from Oh She Glows decided to post a step-by-step Thanksgiving meal. VOILA! Problem solved. Lentil Walnut Meatballs, Maple-Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, Kale Salad and Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Whipped Topping. This meal was absolutely delicious and a triumph for me. Not only did I make my own cranberry sauce but I also made the coconut whipped topping from coconut cream. The best thing of all was that my mother who hardly ever likes "that strange food" actually ate and (sort of) enjoyed her meal.

Christmas is fast approaching and I have big plans for our family potluck. Normally my family steers clear of anything that appears healthy/vegan. I plan to recreate the Lentil Walnut Meatballs with cranberry sauce (Why do people eat that stuff in the can?) and add a great vegan dessert. I just have to search for the recipe!