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!

Pin It Now!

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!

Pin It Now!

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!

Pin It Now!

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.

Pin It Now!

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.

Pin It Now!