Vegan Training: It is possible!

This is a great article and example of a body builder who is on a vegan diet. This answers the most common question that I am asked whenever someone first finds out that I'm vegan: "But you're so active! How can you be so healthy on this type of diet? How do you have so much energy? What about your protein?" Ok, so it's more like three questions and a statement, but whatever...

http://www.oxygenmag.com/vegetarian

Banana-Noothie

Well, first we had the Smoythie (smoothie that is made with soy as opposed to cow's milk) and now, we have the noothie, a smoothie made with nuts instead of soy or dairy! This is packed with protein, minerals, vitamins and is so delicious!

Please note: you need to use a food processor for Noothies, as trying to grind nuts in a blender can kill it. And, yes I had to kill my new blender (2nd one of the year!) in order to discover this fact.

Banana Noothie:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup macadamia nuts

1/3 cup walnuts

2/3 cup water

2 tbsp coconut flour

1 frozen banana

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp banana extract

1/2 cup almond milk

2 tbsp agave nectar or honey

Directions:

first process walnuts and macadamia nuts until smooth. then add in coconut flour, process again until smooth (don't forget to wipe down sides). add all other ingredients, and process until smooth. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Murder!

It killed my blender! On Valentine's Day! This smoythie hath no heart!

Pineapple Raspberry Smoythie

1/2 cup fresh pineapple

1/2 cup soy yogurt

1 cup soy milk

1/2 frozen banana

1 cup frozen raspberries

Blend without killing your blender. Sweeten as desired.

Reading week...or cooking week?

And... it's February break. Was planning on going to Cuba, but instead am remaining in Edmonton so that I can get some assignments and reading done. Oh joy.

Always one to find that silver lining (and here, it was especially hard, giving up sun, fun, friends and hot cabana boys for books) I decided that this will be a "cooking week" as well as a reading week. the semester gets insane from here on in (read: I become a sad little library troll/hermit). But with help from "freezie" (that is what I've named my deep freezer, no, I'm not joking) I will be able to stay fed and healthy in an affordable way. Yay!

At least I get to use this new soup mix I found on sale... :P

Vegan Pizza!

I was really wanting some pizza....so.....

I got some spelt pizza crusts at Planet Organic ($12.99 for 4 12' crusts, not a bad deal), pizza sauce, some "Vegan Rella" (this melts the best out of the other options, I think) some veg pepperoni and then I threw on some mushroom slices and some kalmata olives that were hanging around my fridge...

Then I baked it at 350 F for 20 minutes.

You can get creative with this, really, you can put on whatever you prefer... but all together, this was much cheaper than ordering...

They're Taking over my Cookie Jar!!!

My Mum got me "Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar" for Hanukah! What more appropriate way to commemorate this amazing gift than making "Chocolate Fudgy Oatmeal Cookies " from the book? Of course we did this after having order-in Chinese food (true story). They were easy and fast to put together, and there's no worry if you don't have any of the "add-ins" (chocolate chips, cherries, raisins, etc.), you can just put in what you have (We put in cashews, cranberries and some chocolate chips).

They are chewy, not-too-sweet and all around awesome!

Isa Chandra is my obsession!

I am obsessed with the Post-Punk Kitchen's Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She has been my vegan guardian angel since day 1 of my vegan life ( going to be 3 years in the spring). She and her co-author Terry Hope Romano have come out with "Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar". I haven't purchased the book yet, but made these Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles, the recipe of which is posted on her website (www.theppk.com). just don't eat too many ! (to late for me...I already have a stomach ache. and there's about 21 more sitting on my counter...)