Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Blueberry-Banana "Ice Cream"

Ingredients:
-3 frozen bananas
-3/4 cup of frozen blueberries

Directions:
Place the bananas and blueberries in the freezer for at least 5 hours. When frozen, blend the fruit together in a blender. Voila! You have easy, delicious, vegan ice "cream"! Enjoy!

Delicious Vegan Brownies

Thanks to allrecipes.com for the recipe!

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Vegan in Paris


Bonjour tout le monde! Next year I'm going to  Paris, the city of light, love, fashion, and food. Being a HUGE Francophile, I jumped on the opportunity to travel there. However, nothing can seem more challenging than being a vegan in a country that specializes in meats and dairy. I've been completing a fair amount of research lately on places to go to eat, what to eat, what to buy, and other tips for a vegan in Paris. Here's what I've found.(Click on the title to find the source of the following information)

Useful Phrases
I am vegetarian - Je suis végétarien(ne).
I am vegan - Je suis Végétalien(ne).

Milk - lait
Eggs - œufs
Butter - beurre
Meat - viande
Cheese - fromage
Without - sans

Does it contain cheese?- Est-ce que cela contient du fromage ? or Est-ce qu'il y a du fromage dedans ?
I would like that, without cheese please.- Je voudrais ça, sans fromage s'il vous plaît.
I do not eat animal products.- Je ne mange pas de produits d'origine animale.

Tips
Unlike in the US, most traditional restaurants are not keen on changing dishes on the menu.  Altering preparations of an item is frowned upon, so unless you are dining at one of the following vegan restaurants, don’t expect a non-vegan restaurant to be able to accommodate your dietary needs.

Restaurants
Saveurs Végét’Halles
41, Rue des Bourdonnais, Paris 75001
Métro: Chatelet or Les Halles
01 40 41 93 95
This restaurant is almost exclusively vegan with only one non-vegan item on the menu, the lasagna.  Situated in the former location of La Victoire Suprême du Coeur.  Great crispy fried tofu.  Plenty of vegan desserts.  Oriental feel.  Food is well presented. 95% vegan food.  70% organic.  Gluten-free available. Wheelchair accessible.  Open 10.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00

Le Potager du Marais 22, Rue Rambuteau, Paris 75003
Métro: Rambuteau
01 42 74 24 66
Organic, with all-day long service.  Small, cozy, rustic and charming ambience.  Gets busy weekend evenings (so call for a reservation).  Serves traditional French cuisine made vegetarian with one page of vegan selections (vegan soups, tarte, pate, patty, gratin, moussaka, desserts, and more).  The pastry chef prepares all vegan desserts including lemon bars, carrot cake and blueberry bundt.  3-course dinner menu available for about 25 euro.  Accepts credit cards. Open Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat-Sun lunch and dinner.

Pousse-Pousse 7, rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, 75009
Métro: Notre-Dame-de-Lorette
01 53 16 10 81
World-class raw cuisine in the heart of Paris in a small and friendly location. Offers raw food as well as cooked using ingredients including sprouts, seaweeds, fresh pollens, mixed herbs. Also has organic bread and raw dried crackers, hot chocolate cake, panna cotta made with agar-agar and rice milk, fresh fruit salad with lucuma cream, one cooked soup and one raw soup each day. Gluten free and mostly vegan. Has outdoor seating. Open 11.00-15.30 and 16.30-19.30.

Au Grain de Folie 24, Rue la Vieuville, Paris 75018
Métro: Abesses
01 42 58 15 57
Closed Monday mornings.  A little nook of a place with helpful service and standard macrobiotic fare.

Piccolo Teatro 6, rue des Ecouffes, 4th arrondissement
01 42721779
Metro: St-Paul 
Combine good vegetarian food with romance in Piccolo Teatro.  This place is hidden away on Rue des Ecouffes in the Marais district.  Intimate setting with Italian and Indonesian cuisine.  The menu provides a mix of hot soups, salads, curries, pasta, and organic red wine.  Main courses cost 10-15 € (special tasting menu for first-timers).  Reservations are recommended.

Le Paradis du Fruit
1 Rue des Tournelles, 75006
01 40279479
Metro: Bastille
Part of a chain of restaurants, this French cafe offers a tropical atmosphere and an innovative menu. While not exclusively vegetarian, it’s worth a mention as there are plenty of healthy, meatless options to choose from, including soybean salads, skewered tofu and pineapple, and Indian vegetable curry. Main courses range from €10-€15. Inventive ice creams, juices and smoothies average at €7, and are a must for any visit here. Great for a refreshing spring or summer meal.

****The Gentle Gourmet **** 21 Rue Duret, Paris 75016 (at Ave de la Grande Armee, Ave Foch, near Arc de Triomphe)
33-01-45004655
Vegan, International, Western, Organic, Beer/Wine
This is actually an entirely vegan B&B.  They offer private dining experiences and even have a cooking school located above their store in a pretty courtyard.  They serve set menu bistro and gourmet meals.  Menus are made from changing seasonal foods available and are as organic and local as possible.  Dishes include traditional and contemporary vegan fusion cuisine from across the globe.  All special diets (non-gluten, low-salt, nut-free, etc.) can be catered to.  Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat are gourmet vegan meals (40 euros without wine, 50 euros with wine) with an optional hands-on cooking class beforehand (45 euros). Tue, Thur, Sun are the 25/30 euro bistro meal. Reservations must be made before 2pm the day of the meal but preferably earlier as only a maximum of 10 people will be served per night.  Many other cooking classes are offered during the day, and the entire program and calendar can be seen on their website.  Accepts credit cards.

Loving Hut
92, Boulevard de Beaumarchais, Paris 75011 (at Train: Saint-Sébastien Froissard / Line 8)
0148064384
Vegan Chinese infused French cuisine.  Part of international chain of vegan restaurants opened by followers of Supreme Master Ching Hai, an advocate for vegetarian living (there are several US locations in Nor Cal but I’ve hear it is kind of like a cult?).  Accepts credit cards.  Open Mon-Thur 12noon-3pm and 6:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-3pm and 7pm-10:30pm, closed Sun.

Voy Alimento  23 Rue des Vinaigriers (75010)
0142010344
Vegan, Organic, South American juice bar and plant shop.  The juice bar features hot and cold beverages made from the plants and products sold in the shop, such as purple corn, urucum, cocoa, acerola, klamath.  At lunchtime it is also a vegan restaurant wherein a large range of the plants and micro-algae are represented in the recipes.  Vegan brunch on weekends.  Location is on a street next to Canal Saint Martin with outdoor seating available. Wheelchair accessible.  Accepts credit cards.  Open Mon-Sun.

Oh! Bio 
58 Rue Rambuteau (75003) (at Métro : Rambuteau / Square des Halles)
0144611967
Vegan-friendly, organic take-away with French food and beer/wine.  Everything is 100% organic. Located in front of the Georges Pompidou Centre, in the heart of Paris.  Has outdoor seating.  Accepts credit cards.  Open daily 10am-9pm.

Saravana Bhavan 170 Rue Du Faubourg, Saint Denis (75010)
0667281313
Metro: Gare de l’Est.  Paris Indian restaurant serving vegetarian cuisine.  Accepts credit cards. Open Mon-Sun 8am-10:30pm.

Soya  
20, rue de la Pierre Levée (75010)
01-48-06-33-02
Vegan-friendly and 100% organic.  Offering mezzé and couscous.  Saturday brunch costs around 28€.  For vegan dessert options phone ahead. Outdoor seating.  Open Mon-Sun 1200-1530 and 1900-2300.

Tien Hiang  92 Rue du Chemin Vert (75011) (at Rue St. Maur, between Metro Voltaire and St. Maur)
0143558388
Vegan-friendly, Chinese, Buddhist vegetarian restaurant.  Menu is in English and includes mock-meat options.  No eggs or alcohol used.  Average price per dish is around 5.5-7 euro, or around 7.5-10 euros for a 3-course. Accepts credit cards. Open Tue-Sun 11.30am-3pm, 6.30-10.30pm, closed Mon.

Tien Hiang 2 (second location) 
14 Rue Bichat (75010)
0142000823
The second Tien Hiang location (also Asian vegan food). They offer vegetarian cuisine with dishes from Thailand, China, Malaysia.  The chef is very experienced in vegetarian cooking.  Accepts credit cards. Open 11.30am-3.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm, closed Tue.

Le Végétarien 65, rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris 75003
Métro: Poissonnière
06 60 97 16 12
Small restaurant serving simple, hearty meals like falafel, lasagna, quiche, soups.  Food can be eaten in the restaurant or be taken out. Service is quick.  Full menu with drinks for under 10 euro.  Caters mainly to the people working in the area.  Accepts credit cards. Open Mon-Fri from 12pm, closed Sat-Sun.

Le Grand Appétit 9, Rue la Cerisaie, Paris 75004
Métro: Bastille
01 40 27 04 95
All vegan restaurant.  Macrobiotic and hippie with a no frills experience.  They serve soups, veggie sushi, vegetable platters, lemon tart, and other vegan foods.  Great grocery store next door.  Open Mon-Thur 12-9pm, Fri 12-2.30pm.

La Victoire Suprême du Coeur
27-31, rue du Bourg Tibourg, Paris 75004
Métro: Hôtel de Ville
01 40 41 95 03
All vegan restaurant.  Run by devotees of Sri Chinmoy.  Recently introduced a wine list.  Sunday’s lunch buffet is very popular.  Great location for people watching.

Les Cinq Saveurs d’Anada 72, Rue Cardinal-Lemoine, Paris 75005
Métro: Place Monge
01 43 29 58 54
Great macrobiotic plates. Very friendly staff and in a charming part of the Latin Quarter.

Le Grenier de Notre-Dame 18, Rue de la Bûcherie, Paris 75005
Métro: Saint-Michel
01 43 29 98 29
or Rue des Deux-Ponts, Paris 75004
Métro: Pont Marie
100% vegetarian.  Welcoming, macrobiotic oriented, Paris institution.  Serves vegetarian versions of French peasant food (ie vegetarian paella).  Nice atmosphere.  English spoken.  Prices moderate to expensive.  Outdoor seating available.  Accepts credit cards. Open daily lunch and dinner 12-14.30 and 19-23.0

Maoz Vegetarian 8, Rue Xavier Privas, Paris 75005
Métro: Saint Michel
01 43 26 36 00
or 36, Rue Saint-Andre des Arts, Paris 75005 (at Rue Seguier)
Small falafel place (part of a chain). Close to vegan except for a few cheesy items and the mayonnaise in the coleslaw.  Order at the counter, fight for one of the three tables or walk to the Seine with your sandwich.

Guen Mai 6, Rue Cardinale, Paris 75006
Métro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
01 43 26 03 24
Name means “brown rice” in Japanese.  Macrobiotic.  Counter service and dining.  Tucked behind St.-Germain-des-Prés with sidewalk café tables.

Bob’s Juice Bar 15, Rue Lucien Sampaix, Paris 75010
Métro: Jacques Bonsergent
09 50 06 36 18
A lovely juice bar that also does green juices.  Vegan salad and soup options everyday. Deemed “the best juice bar in town”.

Bob’s Kitchen 
74, Rue des Gravilliers, Paris 75003 (at Rue de Turbigo)
0144556677
Métro: Gare du Nord or La Chapelle
Ovo, Lacto, Western, Juice bar, Take-out.  More vegetarian than vegan selections.  They offer lunch and Sunday brunch options.  Super friendly staff.  Two long communal tables for seating. Fast service. Cash only. Open Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.

Krishna Bhavan 24, Rue Cail, Paris 75010 
01 42 05 78 43
Southern Indian/Sri Lankan, vegan friendly with great prices (be sure to ask for dishes without milk dips or yoghurt dips).  Open Tue-Sun 11.00-23.00, closed Monday. Accepts credit cards.

Green Garden
20, Rue Nationale, Paris 75013
Métro: Porte d’Ivry
01 45 82 99 54
Another Buddhist Chinese restaurant with a big menu.  It’s right in Chinatown.

Aquarius
40, Rue Gergovie, 75014 Paris
Métro: Pernety
01 45 41 36 88
Vegetarian with basically nothing for vegans. *Now may be replaced by Le Marais (see below).

Le Marais 54 Rue Ste-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, 75004
01 48874871
Metro: Hôtel de Ville or St-Paul
Formerly Aquarius, this restaurant is one of the best-known among the Paris vegetarian community. The menu is a combination of salads, wheat pancakes and savory tarts, with fish dishes also a feature (puritans beware!). Organic wine is on the menu but smoking is not, making it one of the few restaurants to offer a smoke-free environment pre-2008. Vegans should check with wait staff before ordering. There have been some reports of unfriendly service here.

Joy in Food 2, Rue Truffaut, Paris 75017
Métro: Place Clichy or Rome
01 43 87 96 79
Hole in the wall place open for lunch on weekdays only.  A popular restaurant with a small but varied menu of salads, soups, vegetable tarts, ragouts over rice, desserts, and organic wine (vegan option for each course).  Home-style cooking.  Open Mon-Fri lunch only, weekend dinner by appointment.

Veggie 
38, rue de Verneuil
0142612861
Vegan-friendly, Ovo, Lacto, Organic, Western, Mediterranean, Beer/Wine.  Take-out and delivery vegetarian food made with all organic products.  Seasonal and daily changing menu.  Specialties are vegetables pies, risotto, and curry.  Also offers apple pies, crumbles, and chocolate cakes.  Accepts credit cards. Open Mon-Fri.

Abyssinia  
5 Rue Martin Garat (75020) (at Rue Belgrand)
0140316642
Vegan-friendly Ethiopian/African food with non-veg (meat) options, but has veg courses available.  Reservations required. Wheelchair accessible.  Accepts credit cards. Open Mon-Sun 12-2pm, 7-11pm.

Cojean
Many locations (see link above)
Offering take-away or dine-in options of soups, salads, wraps, etc.


Groceries
Naturalia organic food stores are located all over the city and they have a good range of lentils, quinoa, and veggie salads already prepared, which are convenient for take-away.  Unfortunately, it is semi-pricey. 
There are also many organic food co-ops around town, but you have to keep your eye out for those.  Prices are a bit better, they have lots of bulk options, and more interesting variety.

Izrael
30 rue Francois-Miron
Metro: Pont Marie
Bulk bins of nuts, dried fruit, olives, spices, etc.  Spices spices spices.

Rendez-Vous de La Nature Organic food store on Rue Mouffetard with a wide variety of soy based yogurts, as well as non-dairy milks (almond, soy), plus tofu.  They also have bulk bins of oats, nuts and muesli. Moderately priced.

Le Bon Marche Epicerie  (La Grande Epicerie)
38, Rue Sèvres
75007 Paris, France
+33 1 42 22 10 12
Touted as “the” best gourmet grocery store in Paris with a selection of everything, including organic and vegan treats.

Monoprix has vegan options too (they sell food now?  who knew?).  I got a seaweed salad there, but they have many many other pre-packaged eats and basic groceries (see below). 


Markets
Marché Biologique Raspail on Sundays is said to be the best but has a reputation of being the most expensive as well.  It runs from Rue de Rennes to Rue du Cherche Midi from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Metro: Rennes/Sevres-Babylone

Marché Bastille is also on Sundays and at the Bastille end there’s a Lebanese stand selling hot-off-the-grill food.

Marche des Enfants Rouges (take the Metro Filles du Calvaire to 39 Rue de Bretagne) to get to this open-air market.  It has stands selling everything from juices to salad bars to Moroccan vegetable tangines and couscous.

There are many corner markets off the main streets of Paris with fruit, veggies, and basic groceries, too (good for those Mondays when the main places are closed). 

Natural Beauty

Yikes! It's been a while since I've posted anything! Anyway, I thought I'd make a post highlighting some of the best natural, vegan beauty tips & tricks. Enjoy!

Clear Skin
  • Dip a cotton swab into some lemon juice and apply on an affected areas of your face, wait ten minutes, then rinse your entire face will cool water.
  • Depending on how bad your acne is, mix apple cider vinegar with water (if your skin is really bad, go 90% ACV and 10% water, if it's kind of bad, go 50% ACV and 50% water, and if it's okay, go 30% ACV and 70% water) and apply with a cotton swab to affected areas.
  • Massage pure aloe vera on your face before going to sleep.
Smooth Skin
  • Moisturize your skin with coconut oil before going to sleep. It works wonders!
Makeup Remover
  • Melt some coconut oil by rubbing some between your hands then rub on your face to remove any makeup. When done, wipe a warm wash cloth over your face to remove any excess.
Shaving Cream
  • Just use coconut oil!
Pretty Hair
  • Instead of using shampoo (which strips your hair of its natural, healthy oils), massage baking soda into your hair (the more baking soda you use, the less oily it becomes), let sit five minutes, then rinse.
  • For a natural conditioner, combine apple cider vinegar and a little bit of water in a spray bottle. Spritz on your hair, avoiding your roots, and let sit for five minutes, then rinse.
Pretty Eyes
  • For bags under eyes, soak 2 tea bags in warm water for about 15 minutes, then place one on each of your eyes for 5-10 minutes.
  • This DIY natural mascara recipe for one tube of mascara is from Body Unburdened. Mix together 2 teaspoons of pure aloe vera gel, 10 capsules of activated charcoal (opened and emptied), and less than 1/4 teaspoon of bentonite clay or cosmetic clay until smooth and consistent. Using an oral syringe, transfer the mixture into an empty mascara tube. Apply three coats, letting dry after each application and using an eyelash comb or an old mascara brush, comb out any clumps.
  • This DIY natural gel eyeliner recipe is from The Coconut Mama.Throughly mix together 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, 4 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and 1-2 capsules of activated charcoal (for black) or 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa powder (for brown). Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place.
Dry Shampoo
  •  Also can be used as baby powder, this dry shampoo recipe is from b. organic.Mix together 1/2 cup of corn starch and 1/2 cup of arrowroot starch with about 12 drops of lavender essential oil. Pour into a shaker, such a repurposed glass spice jar.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Bar Harbor Vegan

I'm going to be vacationing in Bar Harbor so I decided to make a list of vegan-friendly restaurants, markets, and groceries in the area.

A & B Naturals
Natural foods store with a juice bar
101 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-8480 

2 Cats
Vegan-friendly B&B and Cafe
130 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

207-288-2808
Vegan-friendly Cafe
141/2 Mount Desert Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609-1717
207-288-4483
 
Gringo's
Vegan-friendly burrito shop
30 Rodick Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-2326
 
Vegan cuisine
321 Main Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-4422
 
Breakfast diner with vegan options
15 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-4166
 
CJ's Big Dipper
Ice cream parlor with vegan options
150 Main Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-2128‎
 
Vegan-friendly bakery/cafe
39 Rodick Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-3041
 
Movie theater and vegan-friendly pizza place
33 Kennebec Place
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-3828
 
Vegan-friendly cafe
1502 State Highwat 102
Red Rock Corner, ME 04609
207-288-4403
 
Vegan-friendly Mediterranean restaurant
326 Main Street
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
207-244-4344

Friday, June 21, 2013

FINALLY!

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in months! Time really slips through the fingers! The past weeks I've been busy with school as the year winded down. However, today was my last day of school and I'm absolutely ecstatic! My plans for today include cleaning my room, going through my binders and folders to get rid of things I don't need, cleaning the chicken coop, doing the dishes, picking strawberries,... the list goes on. I don't start work until Wednesday so in the meantime I'm going to try to take things easy and relax. It hasn't quite sunken in yet that schools over but I'm sure it will soon.

Stay tuned for posts that are actually interesting!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Love Me Some Decoratin'

Yesterday I decided to use my Sharpies and decorate an old canvas bag. This was my final result. (None of it is traced, it's all free-hand)

Friday, February 8, 2013

Earrings

I love to make jewelry and this is my latest creation. I wrapper wire around a makeup remover bottle to get them in the loop shape. Then I wrapped three colors of embroidery floss (green, yellow, and orange) around the hoops and secured them at the tops. Then I tied the earring hooks to the hoops. Next I strung a small brown bead followed by a large wooden bead onto some orange embroidery floss. I tied the floss to the hoop so the wooden bead hung down in the middle. Viola!

Yay!

I've been a vegan for seventeen days! I'm proud of myself and although it's difficult at times, I've managed to keep it up and I hope to be a vegan for the rest of my life! Every now and again I make mistakes (I've eaten an English muffin that contained honey and I ate a piece of toast that had butter on it) but I'm not giving up. I feel happy and healthy and I'm so glad I've made the change to veganism. :)

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Tunes

I've been really digging the song Crimson and Clover by Tommy James & The Shondells lately. It's been on repeat all day. I recommend you listen to it if you haven't already. Enjoy!


Monday, January 28, 2013

Hummus

Thanks to AllRecipes.com for the recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 19-oz. can garbanzo beans (chick peas), half the liquid reserved
  • 4 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions: 
In a blender, chop the garlic. Pour garbanzo beans into blender, reserving about a tablespoon for garnish. Place lemon juice, tahini, chopped garlic and salt in blender. Blend until creamy and well mixed. Transfer the mixture to a medium serving bowl. Sprinkle with pepper and pour olive oil over the top. Garnish with reserved garbanzo beans.

Real Hummus Recipe

Vegan Burger

Thanks to Happy Cow for the recipe!

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups short grain brown rice (measure uncooked)
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced finely 
  • 2/3 cup carrot, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce 
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground coarsely

Directions:
In a large saucepan bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Cook rice until is a bit dry. If it is too sticky and damp, dry it by spreading it on a tray for awhile.

After the rice cools, add the other ingredients, mix well, and knead the mixture a bit until it feels sticky. Form into patties about 4 inches round and about 1/2 inch thick (not too thin).

Place on a nonstick baking sheet, and put into oven preheated at 450 degree F. Bake for about 25 minutes, flip and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes.

You can also cook the pattie in a frying pan coated with cooking oil.

Note: If the mixture is too wet or too thin, the patties will not hold.

Serve on your favorite bread or buns with lettuce and tomatoes, and sprouts, etc... Enjoy.


Vegan Burger      

Carrot Nut Veggie Burger


Thanks to Happy Cow for the recipe!

Ingredients:
  • 6 carrots, chopped
  • 1 pound sunflower seeds 
  • 1 cup cashew nut 
  • 2 cups brown rice
  • 6 cups water 
  • 1 sweet onion, chopped 
  • 1 tablespoon oil 
  • salt & pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425F degrees (220C degrees). In a large saucepan bring 5 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Roast cashews and sunflower seeds in preheated oven for 10 minutes. In a food processor, grind nuts to a fine meal. Transfer to a large bowl. Place onion and carrots in food processor and pulse until fine. Transfer to bowl with the nuts. Combine cooked rice and oil in food processor and pulse until smooth then spoon into the large bowl. Season with salt and peper as desired. Mix the ingredients and form into patties. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes on each side. Or cook in a frying pan coated with cooking oil. Serve on your favorite bread or buns with lettuce and tomatoes, and sprouts, etc... Enjoy. 

Carrot Nut Vegetarian Burger    

Vegan Alfredo Pasta

Thanks to Vegan Yum Yum for the recipe!

Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Soymilk
  • 1/3 Cup Raw, Unsalted Cashews
  • 1/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 3 Tbs Low-Sodium Tamari or Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tbs Earth Balance Margarine
  • 1 Tbs Tahini
  • 1 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika (smoked is awesome)
  • 1 Pinch Nutmeg
  • 2-4 Cloves of Garlic, optional
  • Black pepper, to taste

Directions:
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. This may work best in a high-speed blender (like a Vita-Mix), but you can definitely make it in a regular blender. Just blend extra-long, or perhaps strain if if you want it perfectly smooth. Tiny bits of cashews won’t hurt anyone though!
If you’re making this sauce for pasta, drain the pasta and return it to the hot empty pan. Pour the sauce over, place on medium heat, and stir until heated through. Serve with lots of fresh cracked black pepper. I love it with steamed broccoli added in!

Hurry Up Alfredo with Basil


·

Fat-Free Whole Wheat Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins

Thanks to Happy Herbivore for the recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour  
  •  ½ cup rolled oats  
  •  2 tsp baking powder  
  • 1 tsp baking soda  
  • ½ cup brown sugar  
  • 1 tsp cinnamon  
  • ½ tsp ground ginger  
  • ¼ tsp salt  
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce  
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup  
  •  ¾ cup wild blueberries, frozen 

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 F. Grease or spray a muffin tin or paper liners if using. In a large bowl, whisk flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices together until well combined. Add applesauce, sugars and maple then stir until almost combined. Add blueberries, stirring until just combined. Spoon into muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle additional oats and brown sugar on top if desired. Bake 18 to 25 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

vegan blueberry oatmeal muffins