The key lesson I seem to be working on right now is balance! Just like we should balance our diets, we have to balance our lives... and it's that balancing act that can often push people over the edge. So while I realize that my new year's resolution was to be a better blogger, I hope everyone will understand that that is a resolution in progress.
Moving on, here are a few of the things that I am most in love with right now (in no particular order).
Baltimore Vegan Drinks- I know I have
mentioned this group/ activity before and there is another event coming up on March 5th! The guys at Dionysus have come up with a great vegan food AND drink menu, so if you are free check it out. Last time I totally fell in love with their organic tomato vodka cocktail. Yum!
Larabars- Recently I picked up one of these little bars, after reading about them on several blogs and even in an old copy of veg news. I honestly didn't believe that they would be so awesome but... they were! The ingredients are all real food, they are 100% vegan, 100% raw and tasty. Man are they tasty, as in ADDICTIVE!!! Plus the one I picked up was very helpful in one of those "emergency" situations we vegans sometimes find ourselves in. You know the one where the non-vegan carefully plans a vegan meal for you (as a guest). They kindly and carefully omit all animal ingredients, but you are left with about 75 calories worth of salad/ steamed veggies. They really meant well and most likely don't realize their gaff. Without some sort of snack I am left hungry AND exceedingly cranky in those situations... with it I am able to remember my social graces.
Chia Seeds- As an alternative to flax seed, these little crunch seeds prov
ided much needed omega 3's and delightful in almost anything associated with breakfast, including smoothies, soy yogurts, and even oatmeal. I have even eaten some straight out of a teaspoon a few times!and finally I am loathe to admit that I have begun drinking the most fluorescent concoction on earth, GATORADE on all of my runs that last more than 30 minutes. Although I don't exactly love the taste, eight ounces mixed 50/50 with water seems to help with both hydration and fatigue for the next day. And before you swear that its all in my head, you should know that I swore by watered down juice for years on hikes and during hot yoga. But there is something about the makeup of Gatorade that seems to work better when I am running. Better than the juice, better than the various homemade concoctions that are on the net, better than everything except well... Gatorade. Do I like it? NO Is it cheap? NO Is it natural/organic? CERTAINLY NOT.... SO if anyone has a tried and true organic alternative let me know but until then, I guess I am drinking the stuff.
Oh and then some good foods! First from Iowa Girl Eats, I veganized her recipe for Crockpot Baked Potato Soup by 1) replacing broth with "not chicken" and reducing to two cups 2) replacing the milk with 6 ounces of almond milk 3) omitting the bacon and butter (it was already rich enough) 4) substituting DAIYA cheese It was unbelievably tasty! And although not vegan, she has many great tips and recipes which can be modified. She is a great blogger AND much more consistent than me!
And then, I found a recipe for veggie lomein in an old newspaper clipping. It took some revisions to veganize and make it taste good, but here is what I ended up with. This makes two generous servings, quickly!
Vegan Veggie Lomein
Ingredients:
| 4 | ounces dry somen noodles |
Sauce: | |
| 1/4 | cup vegetable broth (or use "not chicken" if you prefer) |
| 2 | tbs red wine or sherry |
| 1 | tbs oyster sauce ( I found a vegetarian one at a local asian mart) |
| 1 | tbs cornstarch |
| 1/2 | tsp cayenne |
| 1/2 | tsp 5 spice powder |
| 3 | tsp sesame oil (divided) |
Veggies: | |
| 3/4 | cup onion |
| 1/2 | cup carrot |
| 1/2 | cup celery |
| 4 | tbs garlic |
| 1 | tbs ginger |
| 4 | ounces pea pods |
| 1/2 | red bell pepper |
| 1/2 | cup frozen spinach |
| 1 | cup frozen chopped broccoli |
Method:
- Prepare all vegetables by chopping into equal sized pieces (mince garlic and ginger)
- Put a pot of water onto boil.
- While waiting on water combine sauce ingredients in a small container and stir or shake well.
- Add noodles to boiling water, after 3 minutes turn off heat and drain.
- Heat a large wok or non-stick skillet and add 2 TBS of the oil. Stir fry the veggies in this order: Onions, carrots & celery, frozen broccoli, pea pods & bell pepper, garlic and ginger and finally the frozen spinach.
- Add the strained noodles and stir to combine.
- Pour in the sauce and combine everything, stirring for 2-3 minutes.
Balance is important. I love new posts, but of course people understand when you can't post as frequently as you would like!
ReplyDeleteCourtney