It’s been a long weekend of backpacking and now it’s time to relax. We did 6.2 miles Saturday and finished off 3 more miles this morning. I will be doing a follow up trip blog and Neil and I are going to do a He Says, She Says blog post on gear so standby and goodnight.
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Thursday night I had a crazy afternoon between a conference call, running, gardening and packing for our backpacking trip. So I decided to keep dinner quick and easy. I made veggie skewers with mini peppers, sweet onion and mushrooms; just toss with salt, pepper and olive oil and roast at 375F for 20-25 minutes. To go with the veggies I made a black bean and corn salad with mustard greens from my balcony garden.
Black Bean-Corn-Mustard Green Salad
In a large skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat; toss in the garlic, red onion and chili and cook for 3-4 minutes. Toss in the corn and saute until lightly browned about 5-8 minutes. Stir in the black beans and mustard greens and cook until mustard greens are wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Neil and I are heading out on a grand adventure this weekend. We will be heading out to the great outdoors with just the shoes on our feet and the packs on our back for ONE whole night. I know it’s a big deal, haha. Anyways we are heading out on our first ever backpacking trip. Now we have done our far share of hiking which you can read about here, here, here, and here.
Last night was spent preparing everything to do this trip and it’s pretty crazy everything that you need to bring; okay if you are hardcore you can probably do with less but well I’m not. So here is backpacking for two:
Our Gear: His and Hers Backpacks, Sleeping Bags, "Pillows", Bladders, Polls and Sleeping Mats
FOOD!
Dinner and Lunch: Backpackers Pantry sent me the Katmandu Curry to try and we decided to pick up a Pad Thai for lunch. Will report back...
Snacks: Triscuits, Newton Fruit Things From Foodbuzz Tastemakers, Dates, Primal Strips (these might be a little old)
Drinks: Water Purifying Drops, Amazing Grass (need our greens) and YogaEarth pre and post workout drink mixes
Energy Foods: Clif Shots, Shot Blocks (Margarita my favorite) and Sweet Wheat wheatgrass
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Goji Berries, Chia Seeds and Peanut Butter
Cooking Supplies: Jetboil, Gas, Mugs (for the Via we haven't purchased yet), Bowls and Cutlery
Fire: Matches, Lighter, Fire Starter and Camp Fire Starter Blocks
Tools: Multi Tool, Knife, Spade (so you can bury your....), Compass
First Aid Kits
Trail Maps and Books
Lights and Cameras (not pictured): Headlamps and yes that is a Farm Sanctuary Pig Flash Light
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
Clothing: Day 1&2 Outfit (same just change of unmentionables and socks) and Camping Outfit
Other necessary items: Trail Shoes, Rain Jacket, Hat, Sandals (for when we get to camp) and Knee Support
It looks like a lot of stuff eh? Well it is and yet with a few extra socks and a little a bit more food you could easily do 3-4 days with the same amount of stuff; it just looks crazy for one night. Anyways we are going to head out on our adventure tomorrow morning. I’ll catch you up on all the events on Sunday/Monday. Have a good weekend!
Last night I had a big craving for a big yummy vegan sandwich. While I was trying to figure out what my ultimate vegan sandwich would be I decided to get some opinions from my tweeps:
Although you all had some great suggestions this is what our ultimate sandwich looked like:
Layer 1: Cashew-Chickpea Cheeze
Layer 2: Garliky Sauteed Kale
Layer 3: Sauteed mushrooms, onions and zucchini
Layer 4: Sauteed Tempeh
Layer 5: Tomato Slices
Layer 6: Sprouts
Layer 7: Avocado
All squished between two slices of local crusty ciabatta.
One of the best sandwiches ever and guess what there is more for lunch! YUM!
Cashew-Chickpea Cheeze Spread
Throw in a food processor and blend!
What is your ultimate sandwich?
Five Things I Am Looking Forward To This Summer:
Five Blogs I Have Been Reading Lately (just a few I have a million in my reader and I’ll do this more regularly so don’t feel let out)**:
** I would like to note that I decided to remove my blogroll. I just feel like it isn’t 100% up to date and I hate that I might be forgetting people so I have decided to feature 5 different blogs each week. I hope you enjoy this!
Five Things I Am Loving:
Lastly, I just wanted to encourage you to read my Yoga Aid Challenge post and donate any products (gently used or new) or services to my auction to raise money for Off The Mat.
What are 5 things that you love right now? What are your favorite blogs?
Wanderlust
Wanderlust—the burgeoning festival combining the holistic experience of a yoga getaway with the swagger of a rock show—this year will be the first ever Wanderlust Vermont. This 4-day event—expanding for the first time after 4 years in Lake Tahoe, Ca—brings together the world’s best yoga instructors, musical and theatrical performers, and leading minds – all in settings of breathtaking natural beauty. You can watch a clip of the 2010 Wanderlust here.
About Off the Mat Into The World
“Off the Mat Into the World uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change. They do this by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership trainings, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects.
OTM helps individuals take the path of yoga “off the mat and into the world,” expanding the sphere of change outward to local and global communities. They have trained over 600 yogis, many of whom have gone on to take action in their communities. To date, the OTM community has collaborated to raise almost $2 million dollars for local and global projects in need.
Each year, OTM initiates local and international service projects and trips known as Seva Challenges. These experiences offer the chance to contribute to the well being of others while transforming your own life. In 2011, OTM will unite our efforts around the following projects:
The Global Seva Challenge Haiti
A transformational journey that builds community, provokes critical consciousness about global issues of social justice and equity, and raises significant funds to support communities in crisis. In 2011, OTM will focus on Haiti. Working in collaboration with local organizations, we will respond to critical needs, create long term solutions and empower local individuals to become sustainable and self sufficient.
Empowered Youth Initiative
Examines some of the root causes of crime, poverty, disenfranchisement, and marginalization in minority and urban youth in America. In 2011, OTM’s focus will be in the city of Los Angeles, raising funds to support local programs that work with young people in LA.
OTM sees yogis everywhere taking their yoga off the mat, into the world!” (Source)
Want to help OTM? Participate in my Yoga Aid Challenge Charity Auction and Raffle:
Yoga Aid Auction:
I’ll have an auction next Tuesday (June 21, 2011) for all of your gently used or new items or services you’d like to donate. The only requirements are that the items be vegan (no fur, leather, suede, or if it’s food animal ingredients or byproducts). If you donate the items, you will also be donating the shipping cost to send your item to the winning bidder.
100% of the proceeds will go to Off The Mat.
If you would like to participate, please send a pic of what you’d like to donate and a description to lindsay@cookingforaveganlover.com by Wednesday June 15, 2011.
In addition to the auction I am going to do a raffle for a box of goodies (to be posted soon) to enter the for the raffle all you need to do is donate $5 for one entry and $10 for three directly on my fundraising page. In the notes please put Cook.Vegan.Lover. Raffle.
I have finally stepped back into the kitchen and I am doing some real cooking again! Last night I was in the mood for something warm and creamy. I debated making a pasta with “cream” sauce and then I remembered I had coconut milk and curry leaves so I decided to make a curry pasta dish that ended up being so delicious; I can’t wait for lunch today!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Directions:
In a large saute pan heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add in the mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds and toast until they start to pop, about one to two minutes; then toss in the curry leaves and cook for one minute. Stir in the curry powder, turmeric and chili and stir to combine. Stir in the onions, chili and cabbage and saute until the vegetables start to soften and are lightly browned. Stir in the red lentils and tomatoes and then the coconut milk. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes. While the lentils are cooking cook your pasta according to the directions.
Stir the vinegar and cayenne into the lentil mixture and add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 more minutes or until the lentils are softened. Once the lentils are soft stir in the cooked pasta and serve!
*If you do not have curry leaves or fenugreek seeds you can omit them; the dish will not taste the same but it will still be delicious. Feel free to add an additional 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of curry powder.
Reminder: I just wanted to encourage you to read my Yoga Aid Challenge post and donate any products (gently used or new) or services to my auction to raise money for Off The Mat.
