Supper :)

So, last night I experimented with stuffed bell peppers....a meat-less version, of course!

Stuffed with organic black beans & red quinoa, sautéed cilantro, chives, fresh chopped parsley, left over diced peppers and a little flax meal for added fiber and works great as a binder instead of bread crumbs!

Then I steamed some cauliflower for my version of "mock-potatoes" mixed with garlic, sea salt and pepper then added some eggplant hummus for a little creaminess in lieu of butter. Then Just added some on top with a little non-dairy mozzarella and some of Wolfgang Puck's Spicy marinara sauce. DE-lish!! 

 

Three's a crowd...

...but not when it comes to eureka! Three different flavors (and textures) for your fancy. Grainiac, Seeds The Day, and Saaa-Wheat!  Talk about a trifecta! But it doesn't stop there...not only in just the flavors but in the integrity of the bread as well; Organic. Vegan. Gluten-free. What more could you ask for? :)

 

Saaa-Wheat!

 

FYI

When you gotta have coffee at work... BYOS (bring your own sweetener)!! ;-)

 

 

Pit stop!

Dropped in at my local Mother's Market and treated myself to a spicy little blend of carrots, kale, beets, ginger, and a menagerie of other yummies. And you just can't leave without a "lemon poppy-seed" cookie from Alternative Baking Company! (you can pretend you don't see my big steering wheel in the photo! lol)

 

Start me up!

Sweet blend of frozen pineapple, berries, fresh organic kale, flax meal, chia seeds and maple syrup! Mmm... down the hatch!

 

 

Reflection

It's amazing what a little inspiration can do to ones psyche. Being on this new-found journey, I suddenly find myself much more eager and excited to go straight home and cook! Either I'm starving and can't wait to get home and fill up on healthy goods, or there was a new recipe that I came across at some point in the day and I'm racing out of the office to get home and try it! I've never been this way before. All of a sudden I want to slow down and enjoy the sun before it goes down. Usually, I do all I can to keep busy after work like spending two hours at the gym or book store. Now, I just want to whip up a batch of chia pudding, go for a walk and come back and read a book or watch a movie. Even grocery shopping has completely changed for me. Now, I look forward to my next trip because I know there's something exotic at the store that's waiting to come home with me! All of a sudden, breakfast is exciting! It's an adventure! Before, it was a chore. Sure, I'm hungry (usually) but the time and effort it takes to make something  just never appeals to me. Now, I jump out of bed because I can't wait to use my blender! Kale, frozen pineapple and strawberries, vanilla almond milk, and maple syrup, all have become, like, my new starter kit! LOL It is proof that good, wholesome food motivates the soul and stimulates the brain, in ways the gym never has. I, of course, still go to the gym but now it's not the first thing on my agenda... eating is! But I'm not gaining any weight! Hmm, I wonder why? Maybe it's because I don't have refined white sugar, butter, fried eggs, and other gunk in my system!

~Eat to live, not live to eat :)

Hey, look at the little hotdog man. .. ain't he cute? ;)

Morning fast-break :)

Breakfast to go and no McDonald's required! Frozen Pineapple, strawberries, vanilla almond milk, a little flax meal, and some organic maple syrup made for a delicious and filling morning treat :)

*See the reflection of the diva lights? This was taken in my bathroom while I was getting ready! LOL

 

Monday Oasis!

Today I visited a local vegan restaurant that I had no idea even existed! (oh, the gems you find when you stop going to El Pollo Loco!) A little place called Oasis *vegetarian* Cafe. It's a really small establishment attached to a natural foods store (awesome, btw!!) but the folks there are big at heart! Today was the perfect day for a carnitas taco and a slice of vegan cheesecake...to-die! It was magic. I'm not yet sure what kind of "meat" they used but I will find out...maybe tempeh or Jack fruit? Don't really know cus I've never had either! The texture was good...sometimes that can be a problem with faux meats. Alas, I look forward to many visits to this humble little eatery :)
 

Destiny Dessert!

I'm having fun trying out all these new (and improved!) recipes....since I have such a major sweet tooth (pathetic, really), vegan desserts is where I began to experiment first. I figured I'd better get my sugar cravings under control and what better way to do that than with vegan/ all natural/ non-dairy/ non-refined white sugar treats! Now I don't feel so guilty if I got a hankering for something sweet because the ingredients are kind on the intestines and my body loves me!

So, I started my journey with chocolate...(because, duh! I already had some cocoa on hand!) and so chocolate/avocado pudding was soon under wraps in my kitchen! The texture was incredible- silky, smooth, creamy, decadent and velvety. I know what you're thinking...avo-"what?!". But don't worry, if you make it right, the avocado disappears on the tongue and you're left with an incredible treat. The avocado simply gives it that "oomph" that we love so much about pudding. Although this turned out more like a mousse, which, trust me, I ain't complainin' about! I think next time I'll use a little more vanilla, the main ingredient to help disguise the green stuff! Usually vanilla extract is to be used sparingly, but with this stuff you can go crazy! My sister hated it, of course, but I really do have fun using her as my tester! lol! Maybe one day she'll have fun, too ;)

V-day 6

Well, day six is almost complete and was a total breeze. This morning I played around with some pancakes and boy was that the best idea ever! Not only were they a cinch to make but they were incredibly good!  Who knew some wheat flour, hemp hearts, flax meal, and brown rice syrup could create one of the most indulgent treats on earth?! And you know I've got the pic to prove it!  ;) What a blessing it is to be able to stay healthy and enjoy it along the way! I don't understand why most folks can't embrace it.
 

Anymeow, then it was off to my local farmers market for some OG (organic grown) goodness! I just love these folks. The more I get to know them, and the more they know me by sight, the better the experience is! They treat ya real good when they see their folks comin back for more. It's like when your bartender knows you by sight and always hooks you up! It's a beautiful thing. I made out with loads of delectable veggies and fruit for just $12!  I feel like a thief for making off with such a killing but that is really the beauty in locally grown produce. Anyway, with all the yumminess I got, I, again, played around and created the most amazing homemade pizza! From thief to chief, I tell ya! lol! Easy, peezy, lemon-squeezy. xo

V-day 5

Just closed out another great day! Breakfast was sweet! Trader Joe's vegan crumpets topped with, of course, crunchy vegan almond butter and some hearty  black current preserves! I even sprinkled a little flax meal on the butter for a little added fiber. .... amazing! I'm predicting that the more days go by, the less I'll post... cus honestly, nobody cares how my day went and it is a bit of a nuisance..but! I will still continue to post photos and other useful info as I learn it.  Such as products and secrets I've discovered along the way.

V-day 4

Well I can say today was a good day! I'm pretty sure everything that went into my mouth was vegan friendly. I had the most amazing breakfast of my life this morning! Organic Vegan oatmeal with granola, almond milk, hemp hearts, and some blueberries! It was magic! So stoked to keep this going! A major upgrade from the dippy eggs and butter I'm accustomed to. Lunch was simple but then came home and made dinner and experimented with coconut milk whipped cream! I finally got it right and it is to die for!

 I have been taking pictures of my vegan dishes so I can share them later. Today I learned some interesting facts about bees and beekeepers and the mass enslavement they go through just so Americans can over dose on honey. So ridiculous, this is! I am really starting to just hate humans! Such wretched creatures, we are...but, onto a lighter note, I picked up Alicia's Kind Diet today! Going to enjoy it now with a modest glass of, you guessed.. vegan red! Good night!

V-day 3

 

Not a bad day! Finally made it to my Trader Joes and got some much needed vegan goodies! So excited to use them! I imagine being a vegan does get easier the more you educate yourself and get familiar with all the confusing labels and terminology. It takes me forever to read everything and ponder, only to give up and ask the dreaded question..."excuse me, is this vegan?" Sheesh...I'm so ready for my veteran status!

 Going to an event this evening....I already know what I'm going to have! Veggie tacos! Got my battle gear on! So for now, I'm only a true vegan at heart, because I know how I feel about my decision... it's just taking a while for my eyes and stomach to catch up :)

 

 

P.S. I scored an awesome deal today! Two big jugs of Almond milk for only five dollars! Those of you unfamiliar, these babies are usually close to $4 each! So this find was a blessing, for sure!

V-day 2

So far so vegan! It's kind of a challenge today because I'm low on stuff to eat, and I cannot wait to get back to the market for more goodies and ideas! Got a few road blocks up ahead of me today, but I'm ready to put up my fists and punch 'em down! Even though I'm not entirely prepared for a full-on v-day, I'm at least mentally prepared for what to expect when the storm hits.

 

UPDATE:

So, I had some dairy and I had some poultry. I was out of my element and I fell off the wagon. Secretly, I kinda knew I would, but...these things happen. It's all part of the journey! Stumble forward :) The one good thing that I hope to come out of this is to be more passionate, more consistent, more honest, and set an example. And so I move on :)

V-day 1

 

This day marks my official dive into the vegan abyss. Nothing I have consumed today (to the best of my newbie knowledge) contained any animal products - not even my vegan cupcake (score!). You could almost say it feels like new years day! I guess I'm startin' early! Well, not only did I survive my first day of Veganism, I also managed to survive an entire day dedicated to the Riverside County jury system! So, complete with a nice, Vitamin D-soacked trek through the Mission Inn district, a little vintage inspiration, and a trip to the bookstore, my Monday was full of successes.

 

Vegan juror #11