East Meets West Veg

Easiest Weeknight Pasta Ever (this one is extra saucy because I felt like having a lot of sauce)

Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy

The food at this restaurant was simple and absolutely delicious! I still dream about that pasta. It's unlike any I've had in the US, even though you can find authentic Italian food in the US. Maybe it was just the whole experience that made it seem more magical to me. When we arrived, we actually talked to the owner and she knew what 'vegano' meant so we were in luck. We just trusted her to make us something delicious. Being a person obsessed with food, I think about this pasta often and I sometimes crave it but haven't been able to find an exact recipe for it. I kept asking my husband and mom if they remembered this pasta and I had to have a way of describing it. Since I don't remember the name of the restaurant where we had this, and, we had pasta at several restaurants in Florence (leaving out the name Florence Pasta), I sometimes refer to this as 'Locked in an Italian Bathroom Pasta." (Luckily, THAT only happened once)

Maybe my mom just needed a sign like this

Falling in Love with Italy

You could certainly eat this pasta alone for a quick, easy, tasty, lycopene-filled weeknight dinner, but if you have a couple more minutes you could pair it with a nice salad topped with cannelini beans, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil like we had throughout our trip to Italy. This could also be paired with an easy side dish like my Spicy Lemon Garlic Broccolette, my Super Easy Chickpea Salad, some vegan Italian sausage, or Chocolate Mousse Pie.

Ingredients:

Sev Puri

Last winter was pretty brutal in Michigan (and many other parts of the United States and Canada). Many days my husband and I did not want to leave the house if we didn't have to. We had to come up with creative ideas to make ourselves look forward to yet another night sitting at home. Instead of watching the snow fall on Friday nights, we took a mental journey to a warm, tropical land by immersing ourselves in an Indian movie and snack night. Luckily there are tons of vegetarian Indian snacks and many of them are vegan too.

If you think going vegan or giving up dairy means that you have to give up chocolate covered strawberries, or even desserts in general, you are so wrong! You can quickly, easily make inexpensive, dairy-free chocolate covered fruit at home in just a few minutes. You don't have to be a cook to make these and you can have the kids help out too.

Vegan Hot Chocolate

When I was a little girl, I used to love getting all bundled up in my winter clothes and going outside to play in the snow. I remember my mom having to force me to come in because it would start getting dark before I was ready for the fun to end. I would ask for just a few more minutes, sometimes successfully. There was something so magical about the fresh sparkling white snow and all of the wonderful creative things you could do with it - like making snow angels and having snowball fights. I loved watching the little sparkles fall from the sky all around me as I stood in awe.

Although I hated having to come in, it was always a nice feeling to get all of those layers off and come in from the cold. Plus, sledding and building snowmen really makes you work up an appetite. One of my favorite things to have when coming in was have one of those little instant hot chocolate packets with the mini marshmallows. Those of us who grew up in places with cold winters know that one sure way to warm you up is from the inside out. A hot beverage or soup is a surefire way to starting the warming process.

I'm sure that those packets of instant hot chocolate are filled with all kinds of not-so-good for you things and are kind of overpriced when you could just add your own ingredients and make your own. I don't claim this to be a super healthy recipe since it does have sugar, but it is much healthier than the traditional hot chocolate since it is low fat, cholesterol-free and has heart-healthy almonds and chocolate to boot.

On a day like today, with wind chills near -25F (-32C) here in Detroit, it is a perfect time for a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Beautiful White Snow in Metro Detroit

Ingredients:
Chocolate Almond Milk (or other non-dairy milk)
Vegan Mini Marshmallows (or you could cut the big ones into smaller pieces)
Cinnamon (optional)

Method:
1. Put mini marshmallows in your mug. (We couldn't find them nearby so we had to cut the larger ones and used the equivalent of about 1-2 large marshmallows in each mug.) 
2. Fill mug with chocolate almond milk.
3. Microwave on high until hot (it took about 1 1/2 minutes in our microwave).
4. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top.

Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous

Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous is one of those "accidentally vegan" products. It seems to be available in just about all of the grocery stores around here. I bought it because it says "cooks in 5 minutes" and that's about all the time I had. Not only does it cook in 5 minutes, but it is very easy to make.

To make it, you only need to combine the couscous and spice packet with boiling water and olive oil (not actually required), wait for 5 minutes, and it's ready to eat. The directions tell you to combine it in a saucepan on the stove, but this time I just boiled the water in my teakettle and poured it over everything because I needed a hot cup of tea anyway and I thought I'd save energy this way. It turns out delicious both ways. You can also cook this couscous in the microwave, which makes it great for cooking in a hotel room (if you have a bowl) or in a dorm room.

One of my favorite things about this product is that it doesn't have a lot of unnecessary packaging and it doesn't have any plastic bags! Lately I have become really aware of packaging and I've been trying to reduce my environmental impact. I do realize that going vegan is the biggest thing you can do to lessen your environmental impact, but there is still a lot I can do. Knowing that there is so much plastic in the ocean makes me sick and I find myself picturing those bird skeletons with undigested plastic pieces in their stomachs when I look at unrecyclable plastic.

My husband will eat couscous, but it's definitely not his favorite thing (which is really surprising to me because he could live on wheat alone). He said this was "really good" which means a lot coming from someone who likes his grains to be jazzed up with vegetables and Indian spices (unless they come in the form of bread.)

I do realize that couscous only takes 5 minutes to cook and you could add your own seasonings, but I thought I'd give this one a try and I am glad I did. You can't chop onion and garlic and roast the garlic in 5 minutes anyway. The Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous has the convenience most people want nowadays without a giant list of unrecognizable ingredients and a ton of unnecessary plastic bags.

This product makes a great side dish, snack, small meal, stuffing for a squash or vegetable. It's also good with some added ingredients like vegetables, legumes or nuts.  It is totally something I would pack for travel, especially travel to those not-so-vegan-friendly places in Middle America. You could even use the coffee maker to get boiling water if you are staying at a hotel room that didn't have a microwave.

Vegan MoFo may be over, but we'll continue the tradition of the occasional Freaky Friday guest post. This week we get to hear from my friend Amy. Amy and I may have similar taste in food, but we live very different lifestyles. Amy is barely ever home and doesn't get a chance to do much cooking. I thought she could give a totally different perspective than me and, who knew she was such a genius at writing!? I feel like eating everything on this list RIGHT NOW! Without further ado, here's Amy's guest post.

Amy (okay, okay, it's Amy's travel companion, Gracie)

Like many of you, I'm on the go a lot. I usually have a small cooler in my trunk with goodies to munch on throughout the day. Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to go to find tasty and affordable treats. Here's my top 10 nutritious and delicious finds at Trader Joe's.......:)

1. Trader Joe's Country Pumpkin Spice Granola Cereal
This is one of the seasonal items that the store puts out every fall. It's a great way to wake your taste buds up on those crisp autumn mornings. I like to enjoy this with a cup of cold, unsweetened almond milk. It also makes an energizing and filling snack to nibble on throughout the day.

Trader Joe's Country Pumpkin Spice Granola

2. Trader Joe's Quinoa & Steel Cut Oatmeal
There's nothing like starting your day with a bowl of warm, wholesome oatmeal. Quinoa adds its own unique nutrients, texture and flavor to this breakfast favorite. The brown sugar and maple syrup adds just a touch of sweetness for the perfect morning pick me up.

Trader Joe's Quinoa & Steel Cut Oatmeal

3. Trader Joe's Cultured Coconut Milk
I like to call these yummy little cups of heaven. Each spoonful is creamy, melt in your mouth delicious. I'm partial to the blueberry, but it also comes in vanilla. The healthy probiotics and great taste will make both your tummy and your taste buds smile :).

Trader Joe's Cultured Coconut Milk

4. Trader Joe's Vegetable Masala Burger
These burgers are easy to make on the grill or in the oven. My favorite thing about them is that they can be eaten many different ways. You can go the traditional route and try it on a bun with your favorite condiments. You can also cut them up and eat them with a side of brown or basmati rice. My favorite way is to cut them up and put them in a pita pocket with diced tomatoes and lettuce. This item takes a classic lunch time fav and kicks it up a notch.

Trader Joe's Vegetable Masala Burger

5. Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Fries
I don't know anyone who doesn't love fries. You can think of these as the sweet sister from another mister, of the regular fries we all know and love. They are delectable and loaded with vitamin A. Instead of heading to your local drive-thru, you could just pick up a bag of these and put them in the oven. Crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. Enjoy them with your favorite condiment or all on their own.

Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Frites

6. Trader Joe's Roasted Coconut Chips
Warning: These are extremely addictive. If you're a coconut fiend like me, then these crunchy little treats are sure to satisfy! They can be sprinkled over a salad, dessert, or eaten right out of the bag. Just be sure not to get too close to my bag....(just kidding :)).

Trader Joe's Roasted Coconut Chips

7. Trader Joe's Kale Chips
I love singing the praises of Kale! Trader Joe's really hit the mark with this scrumptious snack. It's chock full of nutrients and TASTE! The combination of spices is nothing short of pure za za zoo.....:)

Trader Joe's Kale Chips

8. Trader Joe's Thai Vegetable Kao Soi
This is the kind of dish that I love coming home to on a cold Michigan evening. The noodles and veggies have just the right balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Crispy noodles are included for that extra bit of crunchy goodness. It can be eaten by itself, with some brown or basmati rice or with your favorite kind of bread on the side. It will leave you feeling warm, satisfied and ready for a night filled with sweet dreams....:)

Trader Joe's Thai Vegetable Kao Soi

9. Trader Joe's Indian Fare Punjab Choley
This is a tasty and inexpensive item to have on hand in your pantry. It can be warmed in the microwave and eaten as is or with your favorite rice and/or bread. It'll make a hearty and flavorful addition to any lunch or dinner menu.

Trader Joe's Indian Fare Punjab Choley

10. Trader Joe's Superfood Pilaf
This is a great item for the lunchbox or for part of a family meal at home. Quinoa, sweet potatoes, and kale that can be microwaved and ready in a few minutes.....SCORE :)! I think this has just the right amount of spices as is, but it can be doctored up with additional spices and veggies to fit almost any palate.

Trader Joe's Superfood Pilaf - Front

Trader Joe's Superfood Pilaf - Ingredients

I was originally going to make a nice, hearty stew today because we've had some chilly nights (and days), but then I checked the weather and saw that it was going to be 97 degrees F (36 C)!! In three short days the high temperature will be 60 F (15.5C) with a low of 46F (8 C). This is Michigan for you, I guess. Anyway, it was WAY too hot for me to cook or eat hot food today so I had to find a no cook dinner.

I decided to make some super easy burritos with salsa verde. I've never made anything with tomatillos before so I didn't even know if I'd like it, but I thought it tasted fresh and delicious. Alone, I thought it could use some more salt, but it was perfect with the chips.


This Salsa Verde recipe is from Food Network. It is very easy and requires only a few ingredients. There were two versions on the show, but I made the raw version. I just put these items in the blender, then mixed it with chopped onion and salt. Click here for the recipe.


To make the meal complete (though I really could have eaten just the salsa verde and tortilla chips), I put together some simple burritos.

Based on the popularity of my first Grocery Shopping 101 post, I decided I need to post some 101 type meal ideas. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming transitioning to a more plant-based diet or it might seem like you need to make long, complicated recipes. The truth is that you can eat very simple, healthy foods that take little or no prep time.

Not too long ago, we had a get-together with a mixed group of meat-eaters and non meat-eaters. We made a do-it-yourself wrap bar and everyone loaded up on what they liked. Here's my wrap.

In my last post, I shared that Buddy Jr. is making a lot of progress on the housetraining front. Well, Buddy Jr. is making progress on another front as well. He is getting more used to my Vitamix. (For those of you who don't know, this is like a loud, super powerful, high-speed blender, food processor and so much more) This is really important because the only time he pooped in the house was after I used the Vitamix the first time after his arrival and I wondered if the loud noise literally 'scared the crap out of him.' I kind of think he just had to go, but I was still very cautious the next time I used the Vitamix and he seemed just fine. Now he doesn't even lift his head when I run it. He just keeps on snoozing. This is really good because after a stressful night of squirrels grinding walnut shells in the attic and Buddy Jr. waking me up to go outside (all this adds up to little sleep), I needed a naturally healthy, energizing, and detoxifying breakfast in a hurry. I just used what I had on hand, but it had such a light, refreshing taste that I fell in love with it. I will definitely be making this again.

Ingredients:
1 sprig mint
1 heaping handfull of baby kale
1/2 cucumber (peeled if not organic)
1/2 large avocado or 1 small avocado
1/4 pineapple (with it's juice)
1 orange
1 cup coconut milk (or other nondairy milk)
1/2 cup tart cherry juice (or your favorite juice)

Method:
Blend away! Enjoy! Garnish with fresh mint leaves if so desired.

Throughout my life, there have been many times I eliminated or tried to minimize my processed sugar intake and I've been mostly successful. I find that it makes my body feel better and my mind feel like I am doing something good. However, last fall was a different story.

In late 2012, my dad died unexpectedly and I was deep in grief in a way I never imagined I could be. It seemed to me like an adult shouldn't be so devastated by her dad dying, even if he was young and it was unexpected (though not from unnatural causes). I hardly felt like eating. All I wanted to do was sleep and cry. It's weird that I am willing to admit this because I always try to hide my crying from people and act as if I am fine. I guess admitting it is different than actually breaking down in front of someone. After the initial shock wore off, the whole thing really debilitated me. If I ate something - anything, I considered that a success. And I felt strangely drawn back to my sometimes friend, sometimes foe - sugar. I was craving sugar all the time. I tell people that I was on a vegan ice cream and french fries diet for a while.

So, it's been a few months now. . . They say that grief gets better in time and I honestly did not see how that was possible a few months ago. I wanted to believe it, but I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can tell you that it HAS gotten better. It is still difficult. I still cry almost every day. I still miss my dad. I still think of him all the time. I still think of how things could have been different. But things are getting better. I am awake for more than 8 hours a day! Yay! Little by little, I am starting to enjoy things again. I see a little glimmer of hope on the horizon.

But the nasty sugar addiction I picked up along the way is still hanging on. And I can remember how good it feels to be free from that addiction! I'm not eliminating sugar right now, but I am trying to reduce my dependence on it. As I found myself jonesing for cookies the other day (after indulging myself several days in a row), I decided it was time to try out a healthy alternative. So, working with what I had in the house, I came up with something that combined the sweetness (fruit) I was looking for with a rich taste (from the avocado & coconut milk). Now I know it's not hot out of the oven, but it did help me boost my willpower and I was able to skip the cookies that night!


Ingredients:
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 ripe banana
1/2 large avocado or 1 small avocado
3/4 cup coconut, almond or other non-dairy milk
1/2 cup tart cherry juice - actual juice, not the concentrated kind (or any juice you like)

Method:
Put it all together and blend, adding more juice or non-dairy milk if required for your blender. Enjoy! 

Over the summer we always get a share from a local CSA and the produce is absolutely divine! In fact, the vegetables are usually so good that I don't want to cook them. I feel like they are absolute perfection on their own and that if I change the flavor at all, I will be missing out on the veggies' natural goodness. In addition to eating the veggies raw, I usually come up with some interesting salads as well. This is often just a way for me to incorporate beans or lentils into my summer diet when all I want to do is eat fresh fruit & veggies.

Many of the fabulous salads we devour all summer long are just not the same in winter because the vegetables (even organic) from the grocery stores here in Michigan are . . . shall I say, lacking that special something you get when they're vine-ripened and fresh picked by your local farmer. I do still enjoy a nice salad in the winter, even when the pickings are slim. This salad is a great one for winter because you only need a few ingredients which are easily accessible all year round.

They just put in a Trader Joe's by my house and I actually found tasty cucumbers and tomatoes there last week. In fact, they were so good that when I made this, I wanted to just keep eating it all day. I thought I should mix it up a little so I came up with two other versions. This would be a great way to pack three different light and healthy lunches for work. You could certainly add more veggies or herbs, but this is one of those things that I throw together when I'm really hungry and don't have a lot of time for washing & chopping. It's SO EASY! You can whip it up in a jiffy and the results are delicious and nutritious!

To find a CSA or Farmer's Market in the United States, go to: http://www.localharvest.org/

Here's the simplest version, your base recipe.
VERSION 1:

INGREDIENTS:
1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1 beefsteak tomato (or 2 roma or 1 pack cherry or grape tomatoes)
1 cucumber
your favorite salad dressing (middle eastern or italian are great choices)
salt & pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas
2. Chop the tomato and cucumber
3. Put it all in a bowl, sprinkle on your favorite dressing, and mix!
4. Add salt & pepper to taste (optional)



VERSION 2:

Put some of the version 1 Chickpea Salad over your favorite greens. (It tastes great on romaine)
You may need to add more dressing.


VERSION 3:

Boil some quinoa and/or rice (or your favorite grain). You could also use a pre-cooked packet. My quinoa-loving, meat-eating cousin just told me that he eats quinoa and brown rice packets from Costco for his lunch at work.

After it cools, mix with some of the version 1 Chickpea Salad. You may need to add more dressing and/or salt & pepper.

I was never really a big ice cream person.  I liked ice cream from time to time, but I don't remember having many cravings for it really.  However, when I became vegan I probably actually started liking ice cream more.  There were so many delicious flavors to try and it seemed to taste better when made with coconut milk, rice milk or soy milk.  Perhaps I was just excited to find out that despite what I had previously believed, there was an easy and delicious substitution. 

But, again, sadly I had to try to eliminate the packaged vegan ice cream from my diet when I decided to attempt to cut out sugar. :-(  That's probably when I really began wanting ice cream, knowing that I couldn't have it.  Much to my surprise, however, I found an ice cream I could eat at a local raw restaurant and I fell in love.  Now, if only I could recreate it (or something like it) at home. . . then one day, hurray! I found a recipe on the Whole Foods Market website.  I know that this is slightly different than the one at the local raw restaurant, but it is so delicious, I can have it in an instant (even when they are closed!) and it's cheap to make.  Plus, it puts those over ripe bananas to good use.

Whole Foods put a nice how-to video on youtube too. :-) When I watched this video, I thought that the 'nice cream' seemed a little too liquidy for my liking, so I put less non-dairy milk and an extra frozen banana (what would I do with that one lonely, left out banana anyway!?)
Since I made this, I have been craving it EVERY DAY - seriously.  I even ran into a psychic yesterday and she said she saw ice cream all around me.  She said, in fact, that she saw me dipped in ice cream.  I almost burst out laughing.  I had been thinking about this ice cream just before she said it.

So here's the recipe.  Feel free to play around with it.  Try almond milk, coconut milk for a super rich treat or any other non-dairy milk.  And, my advice is to add the non-dairy milk a little at a time to get your desired consistency.


Recipe:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2739