Misc

You Asked

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I jumped on board with the “Ask Me Anything” trend and here are some of the questions asked thus far:

If you could eat anywhere you like (past or present), where would that be?

Oh that is a tough one! There are so many places I am dying to try but if I had to say one hmmmm or maybe 2 I’d have to say I would absolutely have to go back to Chennai Garden in Manhattan it’s a vegetarian Southern Indian restaurant that is so good and I love that their menu has the items that have dairy marked so you don’t have to ask a million questions: http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/chennai-garden/

However if there is one restaurant that I am dying to try but haven’t made it to yet it would have to be Fressen in Toronto. I visited their sandwich shop Urban Herbivore and honestly the best sandwich I have ever had and I would love to try their sit down restaurant: http://www.fressenrestaurant.com/

What are some of your favorite websites and/or blogs? 

Ohhh this is a tough question because I have soooo many favorites! 
Since I love so many blogs and read tons I’ll just list a few that I read daily:

http://carrotsncake.com/
http://fitnessista.com/
http://vegancrunk.blogspot.com/
http://anotheronebitesthecrustblog.com/
http://eleanordashwood.blogspot.com/
http://ohsheglows.com/
http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/
http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/

Honestly there are too many to name but you can always check out my blog roll which has a more extensive list. 

As for websites I really love:

http://tastespotting.com/
http://vegnews.com/
http://www.happycow.net/
http://www.menupages.com/
http://veggiething.com/

just to name a few!

Sorry if I left anyone out! I love so many blogs it would take me forever to list them.  Like I said above please check out my Blog Roll for a some what complete list of blogs I read.

what is your biggest inspiration, food wise?

My biggest inspiration is my husband- if it wasn’t for him being vegan I would have never started my blog which originally was about my experiences being a vegetarian girlfriend but cooking vegan for my boyfriend hence “cooking for a vegan lover”. Cooking wise SusanV of Fatfree Vegan Kitchen was the first vegan and blogger that I encountered and she inspired me to blog as well as create my own recipes.

If you would like to ask me a question (anonymously) you can do so here.

Exciting Job Interview

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I have a job interview on Wednesday that I am really excited about, however trying to not get over stressed or over excited.  The job is at the cafe at my husbands work.  The cafe serves breakfast and lunch and is focused on organic and local eating.  The cafe is not vegan however has lots of veggie options and are fine with me not wanting to work with animal products which is great. For the interview I have been asked to prepare something for the manager to try.  Since the cafe generally sells soups, salads and sandwiches I decided to go with a sandwich and soup.  I tested out a number of recipes from The Therapeutic Chef cookbook which is filled with vegan and whole food recipes. 

Squash Apple Soup, Creamy Chickpea Soup with Lemon and Parsley and Cream of Kale-Broccoli. Sandwiches are roasted portobello and the other 2 are different marinated tempeh sandwiches all three with an Omega spread

 

I’ll update you once I found out more information- fingers crossed everything goes well! 

Also I have a new blog Eat. Live. Be Healthy that is following my eating and work-out habits as well as changes to better my personal and mental health.

Pantry Challenge Update

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So I started the pantry challenge this week and so far we have been going strong making some yummy dishes.  Last night was our eat out night we went to Angeleno’s for veggie pizza, salad and Badger Mountain Organic Reisling. 

Click to Visit Website

 

I was sent this great baking book a little while back and have been baking a ton from it.  I made the dinner biscuits for Thanksgiving and just this week I made the raspberry bars and the cinnamon bread.  All the recipes in this book are dairy, egg and nut free and although it is not officially vegan it just happens to all be vegan.  

I love how this book has photographs for the all the recipes it makes baking easier when you know what the final result should look like.  I honestly am not the greatest baker it’s more my husbands forte but with this book I seem to be able to do a great job baking anything (well that’s in it).

Raspberry Bars from The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book

 

Other things I have been making:

Spicy Hoisin Chickpea Lettuce Wraps

 

Servings: 1 large serving or 2 small serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 t canola oil
  • 1 cup Chickpeas, drained
  • 8 baby bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced 
  • 1/2 T hoisin suace
  • 1 t sirracha
  • 1 t sambel oelek 
  • 1/4 t onion powder
  • 1/4 t garlic powder
  • pepper
  • 1/2 t arrowroot

 

6 Boston Lettuce or Romaine leaves for serving

Directions:

Heat canola oil on medium high heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and saute for 3 minutes until softened.  Add all other ingredients EXCEPT the arrowroot.  Stir everything together and let saute for 3-4 minutes until bubbly and caramelized.  Sprinkle on the arrowroot and stir together.  

To Serve:

Fill the lettuce leaves with the chickpea mixture; fold like a taco and ENJOY!

 

Hazelnut Coffee & Oats with stevia, almond butter and banana

 

Oh and Don’t forget about my NibMor Chocolate giveaway- click here to enter

Blogger Disclosure:  Cooking For A Vegan Lover received this book at no cost from the company for review.

Pantry Challenge 2010

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I have decided that it is time for a pantry challenge.  Basically I will only be allowed to buy $30 of fresh produce a week and non-dairy milk for the remainder of the month, we have a CSA that comes every 2 weeks so we will have this produce on top of the purchased. Also minimal going out to eat, this means only going out to eat once a week. I have a packed pantry but I always seem to be buying more.   This challenge will help me do a number of things:

1. create new recipes 

2. save money 

3. ensures not wasting food

I’m excited to see how well I do, while still eating healthy. Have you ever tried a pantry challenge? How well did it go for you?

Goals for the New Year

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Many people have been posting about goals for the new year and it has got me thinking about what I want out of the new year. This year has been tough with having a horrible job, our miscarriage and the a variety of other challenges but I am positive about the new year. My goals for this year:

1. Eat more raw- we have been really good this year about eating more raw dishes and with my dehydrator and new blendtec total blender I know it is possible to create more raw dishes. I love my husband for buying me a new dehydrator.
2. Lose some weight…I have lost 40lbs in the last 4 years but I am still not at my ideal weight and this is my year.
3. To run a 5K- I really want to be able to do this by next fall and I think I can do it! (I know I can)
4. Blog more- I know I have been better at blogging but I can be better. I want to blog with more of a purpose and get back to blogging more recipes for everyone to try and learn more about.
5. Find a job that makes me happy. I have spent the last 18months working in a position that makes me miserable and I know I deserve to be happy.

What are you goals for the New Year? And how do you intend to attain them?

When I am down I make a funny face and think about how lucky I am to be married to my best friend and the love of my life.

No Raw Last Night

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Last night was not a raw not…although I wish it had been but I had items to use before they went bad.

We hard cornmeal crusted seitan from Vegan Soul Kitchen which was delicious with BBQ veggies and creamy cheezy corn and green onion polenta with lots of Chalula hot sauce. It was a great meal but I am looking forward to something raw tonight.

I have not decided yet what I am going to make but it should be yummy.

Once I get my camera battery charged I’ll be posting pics.