veggie peace tattoo

i love tattoos, i want to get a three quarter sleeve on at least one of my arms, and maybe a half sleeve on the other. i have lots of ideas, but i don't put anything on my body, unless i've thought about it for at least a year.... well, except a cover up tattoo i got, but that's because the before looked like a prison tattoo, and that's a whole nother story....

so, i've wanted to get a tattoo that is a daily reminder of my love for all things veggie, but i wanted something that didn't jump out and literally say the word "vegetarian" or "vegan", because i could always go back to being a meat eater. i don't see it in my near or even distant future, but i also didn't ever see being vegetarian, let alone vegan as an option, so i wanted something symbolic, if for some reason i went back that it wouldn't be a lot of pressure on me to do so.

for the past 2 years, i've wanted the native american sign for peace on my left wrist. it's a broken arrow, symbolizing a truce. i have the word love on my right wrist, so to complete the vegan hippie stereotype, why not get peace on the other wrist, right? anyway, i think it's the perfect compliment, as it symbolized peace, which i'm always for, and it's a broken arrow, which to me represents me choosing not to be a hunter. as nothing good can come from an arrow, it is, in the end a weapon. so, that's why i chose this tattoo, and i'm so happy with how simple it is, but has a greater meaning to me, and because it isn't so in your face veggie, i won't be bombarded with questions about it. Pin It Now!

Wayfare "We Can't Say It's Cheese" Spread

i've lived in Chicago my whole life, 26 years to be exact. our neighbor to the north is wisconsin, and no one does cheddar better than them. this spread, tastes just like a hickory bacon cheddar spread i've had in the past, except this one is vegan, and the main ingredient is oatmeal... not milk! i can't wait to try out different flavors. yum! check out their site!

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buffalo "chicken" sandwich w/ sweet potato fries

one of my favorite things before becoming veggie was buffalo chicken wings. now, even before i went veggie, they would gross me out, being on a bone, so i would prefer to have them boneless. anyways, they were so delicious and i've wanted to create a vegan version for a while now, and i finally got around to it.

i made my own buffalo wing sauce, and ranch dressing. i was making a vegan ranch for a while, until i remembered that chili's ranch dressing was my absolute favorite ranch to put on sandwiches and burgers. so, i found a copycat chili's ranch dressing and made it earlier this week. let me tell you, it's phenominal! seriously tastes identical to chili's version. so good. and i made some sweet potato fries, awesome dipped in the ranch or some ketchup, and a dill pickle to make it complete!

THINGS YOU NEED
Gardein Chicken Scallopini Filet (4)
4 Vegan Burger Buns - Optional: (Toast Buns in Butter in a Pan until brown)
1-2 Sweet Potatoes - Cut into Fries
Sliced Red Onion
Tomato Slices
Spinach
Ranch Dressing: 1/4 Cup Veganaise, 1/4 Cup Tofutti Sour Cream, 2 TBSP Dill Pickle Juice, 1 TBSP Almond MIlk, 1/8 TSP Sea Salt, 1/4 TSP Dried Parsley, 1/4 TSP Onion Powder, 1/8 TSP Garlic Powder, 1 Dash Pepper
Buffalo Wing Sauce - 1/3 Cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce, 1/3 Cup Earth Balance Butter, 
1.5 TBSP Vinegar, 1 TSP Garlic Powder
Dill Pickle
Sea Salt
Italian Seasonings
1 TBSP Olive Oil

WHAT YOU DO
1. Heat oven to 350° and cook sweet potatoes in olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt & italian seasonings for 8-10 minutes. Flip fries over, and cook for additional 8-10 minutes.
2. While fries are cooking, heat Gardein "Chicken" Filets based on directions.
3. Make Ranch Dressing while chicken is cooking.
4. Make Buffalo Wing Sauce.
5. When Chicken is fully heated and cooked in a skillet, toss the buffalo wing sauce onto the "chicken". Cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Arrange sandwich on vegan bun with onion, tomatoes, spinach, chicken, ranch dressing.
7. Serve with Sweet Potato Fries, Ranch & Ketchup to Dip, and Dill Pickle.
8. Enjoy!

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chipotle black bean soup

this soup hits the spot when you want something spicy and hot when it's cold outside. i've said before that i love mexican food, and eat it almost everyday, so what's better than a black bean chipotle soup during the fall? for me... nothing much. 

i was scanning my "Forks Over Knives Cookbook" when I saw a recipe for black bean chipotle soup. i adapted it to my tastes, so i added oil, rice, and then veggie stock in place of water. i was intrigued by the orange juice, but let me tell you this is one of the best soups i've ever had. you can't even taste the orange flavor, but it adds something to the soup that makes it almost taste like a burrito. yum!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1.5 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Medium Red Onion Diced
1 Red Pepper Diced
Garlic Minced to taste
1 TSP Chipotle Powder
2 TSP Cumin Powder
4 Cups Vegetable Stock
1 Cup Orange Juice
1 Cup Brown Rice
2 - 15 oz Black Beans (Drained & Rinsed)
Salt & Pepper to Taste

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Saute Onion & Pepper in Olive Oil for about 6-10 Minutes.
2. Add Garlic & Chipotle & Cumin. Stir for about 30 seconds.
3. Add Vegetable Stock, Orange Juice, Black Beans, and Rice.
4. Salt & Pepper to Taste.
5. Bring to a Boil.
6. Simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Enjoy!

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Cupcake Fresh Face Mask {LUSH}

used my cupcake fresh face mask from my lush haul today. can't believe it's been an entire year since i've used this mask. i need to buy this one more often. smells like chocolate cake batter, and feels so great on my skin, since it's cold right out of the fridge! my skin feels so clean tonight after just one application of this stuff. if you have a lush store by you check this out, as they are fresh and need to be refrigerated, so you unfortunately can't buy them online.

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fall haul {LUSH w/ ORIGINS}

went to lush for the first time in a year. little haul of some fall goodies and stocking up on some products i've run out of, and some early xmas gift shopping. {i've been living for the past year off my previous obsessive hauls from 2011}

the products i got in no particular order.

1. Rosie Gift

Mix of bath melts, bubbles and body conditioner.

2. Pumpkin Soap {SOLD OUT}

Smells like spearmint, pumpkin, and spice. OMG bought one for my older sister too!

3. Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo

This might seem weird to wash your hair with a solid bar... but let me tell you that once you go solid, you won't want to go back to liquid. This lathers and makes my hair feel clean and shiny and soft. Love this stuff.

4. Jungle Solid Conditioner

This has a unique scent. Reminds me of being a kid for some reason. I love this scent. Makes my hair oily, so only use a small amount.

5. Cinders Bath Bomb

This smells like holidays. Cinnamon, vanilla, and spice. Yum!

6. You Snap The Whip

This is a great exfoliator for my elbows and feet and knees.

7. Popcorn Lip Scrub

Um, a lip scrub that smells and tastes like sweet & salty popcorn! Yes, Please! Bought an extra for my little sister too!

8. Mr. Punch Soap

OK, this one is dangerous... if you don't watch yourself.... you'll want to melt it and drink it, or just bite a chunk out of it. Made with Gin, Limes, & Blackcurrent. Delish!

9. Vanilla Dee- Lite Lotion (Sample)

I love anything vanilla This is a non greasy lotion that leaves a light scent.

10. Cupcake Fresh Face Mask 

This smells like freaking chocolate cake batter! Oh, and it gets rid of oil & dirt from your face to prevent acne. Double win!

11. Coconut

This is a great alternative to conventional deodorants. It's a little tricky at first, but so much better for you and the environment than those aluminum filled ones at the grocery store. Smells like the beach.

12. Twilight Body Wash $10-$28

I love the twilight bath bomb scent, and they decided to package the scent as a body wash. Couldn't resist buying this one, I mean, I love the scent so much!

13. Fighting Animal Testing Canvas Bag.

This bag goes with Lush's current campaign of fighting animal testing. This helps spread awareness against the use of animal testing, as well as for the Re-Work project in India empowering women. Double win again!

14. I always went to Origins to get "Peace of Mind" - $12. It's pretty much a miracle for anyone that gets headaches. It a peppermint basil & eucalyptus ointment that you put on your temples, forehead, and or back of your neck. Holy Crap! This melts away my headaches and makes me feel so relaxed. So worth the $12. And this lasts a looong time.

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halloween pumpkin scones!

like i said earlier... i can't get enough pumpkin this fall, and this is my second time making pumpkin scones in the past month. they're not too sweet, and perfectly pumpkiny for fall, or for when you just want something warm with a hot cup of tea. {Makes 20 mini scones}

WHAT YOU NEED:

SCONE:
2 Cups Sifted Flour
7 TBSP Vegan Sugar
1 TBSP Baking Powder
1/2 TSP Sea Salt
1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Tsp Ground Cloves
1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
6 TBSP Earth Balance Butter
1/2 Cup Canned Pumpkin
3 TBSP Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Egg (Egg Replacer)
Orange Food Coloring

GLAZE:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 TBSP  Unsweetened Almond Milk

SPICED GLAZE:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 TBSP Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/8 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
1 Pinch Ginger
1 Pinch Ground Cloves
1 Pinch Pumpkin Pie Spice
Purple Food Coloring

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine dry scone ingredients.
3. Combine wet scone ingredients.
4. Combine wet & dry ingredients.
5. Flour down a surface, and roll dough until 1/2 inch thick. Cut into triangles. 
6. Place onto Silpat Sheet on cookie sheet, if you don't have a Silpat Sheet lightly grease a cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 14-16 Minutes until scones are a light brown.

8. Place on wire rack.
9. Make Glazes.
10. Spread Glaze on entire scone.
11. Use a whisk to sprinkle the Spiced Glaze onto the scones.
12. Enjoy!

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VegNews Thanksgiving Issue 2012

I follow VegNews both on their Facebook and their website, which both have really great stories and recipes! This is my first issue of this magazine, but it has some really interesting stories, and I can't wait to try out their recipes! I'm so glad I subscribed!

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sweet potato soup

To me nothing says fall more than apple cider & pumpkins, and sweet potatoes! It was a little chilly out today, and I was in the mood for a warm creamy soup. Sweet Potatoes are in season... so sweet potato it is! {Makes 4 Servings}

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 TBSP Olive Oil

1 Medium Red Onion Diced

2 Minced Garlic Cloves

2 TBSP Earth Balance Butter

4 Sweet Potatoes (Cut into smaller pieces)

4 Cups Vegetable Broth

1.5 TSP Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 TSP Cloves

1/2 TSP Tumeric

1/2 TSP Ginger

1/2 TSP Parsley

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

Blender

Juice of 1 Lime

1/2 TSP Parsley

Salt & Pepper

WHAT YOU DO:

1. Saute Onions & Garlic in oil and butter.

2. After 5 minutes, add Potatoes, Broth, and Spices.

3. Boil for 20 minutes.

4. Add Almond Milk . Simmer for 5 more minutes.

5. Puree in Blender.

6. Put back in pot. 

7. Add lime juice. Salt & Pepper to Taste.

8. Enjoy with sprinkled Parsley on top!

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pumpkin doughnuts!

 this fall i've been all about pumpkin. pumpkin coffee, pumpkin scones, pumpkin french toast, pumpkin pumpkin pumpkin.

i love going to the pumpkin patch, but now being vegan this year... my favorite thing the pumpkin doughnuts, i can't have! :( but, that's okay, because i made my own mini ones! yum!

get the recipe here! they turned out great!

I just used Earth Balance Butter, Egg Replacer and Almond Milk to veganize it. ENJOY!

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everything bagel w/ tomato

for a yummy easy breakfast you only need a few things. sooooo good. and fast!

WHAT YOU NEED:
Vegan Everything Bagel
Galaxy Nutritional Brand Chive & Garlic Cream Cheese
Tomato Slices
Salt & Pepper
Italian Seasoning

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spinach tomato chicken pasta

when i come home from work, i want to make a dinner that only takes 5-10 minutes. this one is perfect!
it's a simple flavorful easy pasta dish that i have even make while i'm getting ready for work in the morning, and eat it for lunch.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 Serving of Vegan Pasta
Handful of Spinach
Handful of Chopped Red Onion
1 Garlic Clove Minced
1 Tsp Chipotle Powder
Handful of Chopped Mushrooms
1 Medium Tomato Sliced
2 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
1 Breast of Gardein Chicken Scallopini

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Heat pasta.
2. While pasta is boiling, saute' all veggies in a medium saute' pan with olive oil.
3. Defrost Chicken, and cut into strips.
4. Add pasta to the veggies.
5. Add nutritional yeast and chicken, and stir until well incorporated.
6. Serve hot.
7. Enjoy!

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raw vegan nacho kale chips {dehydrated}

so... i've been playing with the idea of getting a dehydrator for a while, well basically since i found out about raw food, and how it is so healthy for you, as well as being delicious. the only thing i was hesitant about, was that it would become too time consuming and just end up taking up too much space.

i decided that my health is waaaay more important than worrying if something takes too long to make, and the matter of taking up space shouldn't matter either. so, i bought a dehydrator. nothing fancy, not too expensive. i wanted one that the temperature would be adjustable, since i wouldn't be dehydrating anything over 115 degrees. here's the dehydrator i bought! extra trays (this model works with up to 12 trays) and fruit roll trays which i can't wait to use!

why cook under 115 degrees?
      - when you cook food over 115 degrees it kills enzymes. they are used to help you digest your food. your body will have to work harder to create them if your meal is cooked over 115 degrees, hence why you feel tired and groggy after a big heated meal!
      - when you cook food over 115 degrees it changes the pH of the food. you want to eat alkaline foods, cooked foods over 115 become acidic. this promotes diseases.
      - it destroys most vitamins and minerals in the food.
      - it kills the energy in the food. you eat to produce energy in your body. therefore, if you are eating dead food, you body won't feel as energenic as when you eat raw alive food.

anyways, back to the kale chips... which i'm addicted too, and will eat an entire batch in one sitting if i'm not careful!
when i went to new york in august, at organic avenue, my mom bought brad's vampire killer kale chips... yummm! they are dehydrated, not baked, and they were absolutely delicious!since i bought a dehydrator i wanted to try making kale chips in it. the below picture shows all the awesomeness that is kale!

raw vegan nacho kale chips

1. Make this vegan nacho sauce.
2. Put the kale pieces in a bowl and mix the sauce until each piece is evenly covered.
3. Put in dehydrator for 11 - 12 hours at 110 - 115 degrees.
4. Store in airtight container.

These were so good, I'm making another batch this weekend!

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apple cider doughnuts

nothing says fall like pumpkin & apple cider doughnuts... i made mini pumpkin doughnuts last week, so i wanted to make apple cider ones this weekend. so delicious. full recipe here. I veganized these by using vegan butter / 1/4 cup almond milk & 2 tsp apple cider vinegar  in place of milk / and egg replacer.

the glaze i made for 1/2 the doughnuts was:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 Tbsp Apple Cider
Crumbled Graham Crackers

the other 1/2 i dusted powdered sugar on top

Enjoy!

Rolling dough, and cutting into doughnuts.
Dough frying in oil.

Cooling doughnut holes.

Doughnuts waiting to be eaten.

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bbq tempeh spinach pizza

flavors are sensory in every sense of the word, and they can bring back memories as well. for me bbq chicken pizza always reminds me of hawaii. we ate it at a little pizza shop called bob's pizza in haleiwa, hawaii. and whenver i have it i think of hawaii. here's a vegan version, that holds nothing back, and i think is even better than the one i had in hawaii, which is hard to say, since it was such a yummy pizza.

What you need:
Pizza Dough (I used Pillsbury Pizza Crust)
Pizza Sauce
Vegan BBQ Sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays Chipotle)
Garlic
Mushroons
Red Onion Diced
Jalapenos
Torn spinach strips
Tempeh (Steamed for 12 minutes)
Daiya Pepperjack Cheese
Italian Seasonings

What you do:
1. Steam Tempeh Strips for 12 minutes.

2. While the tempeh is steaming, stretch dough onto a pizza pan.
3. Spread pizza sauce thinly onto dough. Spread BBQ sauce thinly on top of pizza sauce.

4. Sprinkle garlic, mushrooms, red onion, jalapenos, spinach and daiya cheese on top of sauce.
5. Once tempeh is done steaming, sprinkle onto pizza.
6. Sprinkle italian seasoning on top of pizza.

7. Cook for 13 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
8. Broil for 2 minutes to brown top of pizza.

9. Cut into squares.
10. Enjoy!

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