Free From Labels!

Today's Mofo prompt is an interesting one. Make or eat a local dish. Seattle doesn't really have a certain food that you instantly think of like some cities. So I did some searching around on the webz, and I still don't have a specific food. It just adds to my deep love of Seattle. Seattle is a mish mash of cuisine, and just like me, Seattle refuses to be defined by one certain thing. Like me, Seattle is extremely claustrophobic and does not want to be put in a box. I found certain common items in my searches, such as seafood, and this fast food burger place known as Dick's. People in this city lose their minds over this place. All they do is burgers, shakes and fries. I don't think they even offer any fresh vegetable choices for toppings, and I know they have nothing to offer vegetarians, let alone vegans. Poo poo on them. But it is seriously very important to Seattle, and I do feel like Seattle would be in deep mourning if Dick's changed, or went away.
Seattle is extremely vegan friendly. Even the dinkiest of grocery stores sell vegan cheese, and kombucha! And, Seattle has some great vegan restaurants. There is a fancy pants restaurant called Plum Bistro that is very beloved by vegans and many non vegans! I have never had the pleasure, and maybe never will, but I'm sure it's amazing. There are several fine dining vegetarian restaurants as well. There are vegan diners, like the Wayward Vegan Cafe which are more in my price range. And almost every pizza shop has some type of vegan cheese. Coming off of feeling so repressed from living in Erie PA. (seriously do not attempt to live there.) it is just crazy to feel so welcome and totally normal!
The word that comes to mind when I think of Seattle cuisine is diversity. I was raised in Ohio.What I'm trying to say is for a lot of my life pizza was considered exotic. So when I first moved to Seattle, I had never in my life had Vietnamese food, or authentic Chinese food, or proper Thai food, or Ethiopian food, or even falafel! And that is just scratching the surface of what Seattle has to offer. I had my first Banh Mi here, my first steaming delicious bowl of Pho! All of these amazing, exotic flavors that I have come to love, and use in my home cooking came from these amazing little restaurants I've discovered in Seattle! I also learned more about other cultures than I ever learned in school. Along the way I would favor certain little places with the best Pho, or the spiciest tofu, and I would develop a relationship with the owners.
Another thing that comes to mind when I think of Seattle is EXPENSIVE. Seattle is where I developed  my deep affection for lentils! They are as cheap and much more nutritious than Ramen! I also think of soup. Seattle is also where I discovered my love of soup(usually lentil) for breakfast. With so many grey, dreary days, I get the blues and need to start my day with cozy and comfort. This final word is what led to my "regional dish". I made soup out of stuff I had on hand, so as to not have to spend any money. I had a small box of wild rice, and I was very inspired by this chowder on the  lovely blog Tea and Sympatico  so I decided to take a stab at creamy wild rice soup! It turned out pretty dang good for my first attempt. I have never had creamy wild rice soup vegan or not, so I  don't know if it is authentic, but it is delicious!

Creamy and comforting

                                                                   Vegan Creamy Wild Rice Soup

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large carrot diced
• 1C. diced mushrooms
• 3 Small red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 T. Oregano
• 1 tsp. poultry seasoning
• S&P to taste
• 1/2 C. wild rice
• 1/2 C. brown rice
• 1 T. Soy Sauce
• 1/4 C. Nutritional Yeast
• 1/2 C. soaked cashews
• 5 cups water

• 1/2 to 3/4 C. frozen peas
• Juice of one lemon

Sautee the onion and garlic in a small amount of olive oil or water on medium heat for about four or five minutes. Add the carrot, mushrooms and potato along with the Oregano, poultry seasoning, and S& P to taste. Sautee for three or four more minutes, and Deglaze the pan with the soy sauce. Add the wild and brown rice, and the water. you can also use vegetable stock, I just didn't have any. You can also add the nutritional yeast, and bring it all to a boil, and turn the heat to medium low, and simmer away for thirty to forty five minutes. enjoy the heavenly smell of your house. When the rice is to your desired tenderness, (I went forty minutes) make your cashew cream. Blend the soaked cashews with one half cup water and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, and add to your soup. Stir to combine, and add your frozen peas. Allow the peas to cook for about two or three minutes, turn off heat and add your lemon juice. Adjust Salt and pepper, and serve with some crusty bread and a green salad and feel cozy and loved!

Seasons Change

Today's Mofo prompt is is to tell you all about my fave late summer food. I love all summer foods. I am not a winter person in any way, shape, or form. I am truly supposed to be living somewhere warm and sunny year round. Someday. Anyway, onto food! I find it so much easier to eat tons of fruit in the summer. I can't shove enough nectarines in my face! And I can't forget cherries, berries, grapes, and melons! I can't believe I almost forgot to mention tomatoes! And carrots, potatoes, squash, broccoli, basil, kale, cucumbers, and corn! We do live in a time where a lot of these fruits and veg are in grocery stores year round. Maybe not the best quality, but there they are. Like when is the last time you weren't able to buy carrots, or bananas? I'm talking about shopping at groceries, not Farmer's markets.
I went to pick up a few fresh fruits and vegetables yesterday, and found some great deals on late summer produce! This is the time of year when organic kale is sooooo cheap! And I loaded up on organic pears and apples, as they were super cheap too!

I want to Hulk you up!

I love when I can save money on my green juice fixin's! This is also the time of year when you can buy Tuscan Kale for the same price as curly kale. I rarely buy Tuskan kale because it is so much more than curly.

Look at those pretty carrots!

Melons are abundant in the late summer, and I decided to try this Pepino melon. It was super cheap, which of course made it all the more tempting. They say it tastes like a melon and pear, so I expect great things.
I was craving fried rice, so I made a fried rice for dinner that was heavy on late summer goodness. I made it with corn, and cabbage, and carrots.

All of those delightful vegetables are kind of invisible in my horrible picture, ha! But they were in there.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to commit to one, or even two favorites, but I really do love them all! In the winter I sometimes get into weird food slumps because I get so tired of the same fruits and vegetables. In the summer, it's the opposite. Everything I bite into is my favorite fruit or vegetable, until I bit into the next thing!

Could I be cuter?

I of course have to add another cute cat photo! This is Chunk's favorite thing to play with. The rings on kombucha bottles.

Humble Presidential Dinner

Today's Mofo prompt is to make some delicious food for Barack Obama. This was a tricky one as I am in desperate need of some groceries, but I just couldn't make it to the store yesterday. I did a google search of his favorite foods, and every website kind of gave different examples. I guess what I got out of my search is that he's kind of like me. He likes healthy food, and he also likes some lets just say, heartier fare as well. He seems to be a well rounded eater who is comfortable in diners, as well as five star restaurants. So I looked around my hole, I mean kitchen, and  found some things to pull together a hearty, healthy vegan dinner. I found these vegan Pierogi in my freezer, and knew I needed to make these. If you have a problem with Pierogi, you have a problem with me!

I usually serve my Pierogi with caramelized onions and mushrooms, but alas no shrooms to be found in my fridge. I did have some leftover marinara sauce, and since it is the president we're talking about, Dylan shared some of his daiya.

I had never heard of smoked tomato sauce. It's really good!

 I layered the Pierogi with some white beans, nutritional yeast, marinara sauce, and a little daiya on top and baked in the oven for about twenty minutes.

This isn't the fanciest meal, but it sure is tasty. And it would open the door for me to discuss certain economic issues I have. I have some baby broccoli that I should have prepared to go along with this meal. I read somewhere he's mentioned broccoli as his favorite vegetable. Why did I forget the broccoli, WHY!!! In my mind, after dinner we went out and shared a vegan sundae.

Also, he was spared from any cat hair in his food! Ha.

Look at the creeper in the back.

She deserves her own picture!

I feel slightly guilty for not making some elaborate vegan dinner for my imaginary dinner with the president, but sometimes you have to do the best you can do with life and all of it's highs and lows. And politicians can be severely out of tune with real life, so it could be a good reminder for Mr. Obama.
I can't believe Mofo is already halfway over! It has been so awesome connecting, and learning new things, and really just the whole experience has been so positive! My kitties agree!

Take A Walk on the Kind Side

Today's Mofo prompt is to make some vegan and delicious for a non-vegan. I didn't have a non-vegan at the ready yesterday, but I did cook some food that I have served to non-vegans with great success. Before I go on, I will say that I pay close attention to what non-vegans say about vegan food. We need to spread the message and love to non-vegans, because they are the ones still eating animal products. I enjoy feeding a non -vegan something and having them love it. I love when people realize that vegan food is not all brown rice and spirulina sauce.

Why are you so ugly, yet so delicious!

This first picture is of the lentil rice soup I had yesterday for breakfast. Lentil soup is not the prettiest picture in town, but I have impressed several non-vegans with this soup. I made it one time at my now ex boyfriends house, and I went to bed with the pot on the stove. Well, his roommate had come home at some point, saw it on the stove and had several bowls. He told me the next day how much he loved it! This person was and probably still is a very non vegan junk food junkie. I also made a pot for a friend when she was sick, and her boyfriend who is a construction worker took some to work. He told me how it really made him feel great, and he felt like he had more energy than usual. The humble lentil.
I also made pizza last night, which is almost always a crowd- pleaser. The first couple of times I made vegan pizza for non-vegans, I put some type of faux pepperoni on the pie, and I felt like that scared non-vegans. I find that when I just use veggies, it's very easy to sell. Some non-vegans are open to vegan cheese, others are not.

Ooh, pizza!

This pizza has marinara, green onion, white beans, Kalamata olives, kale, and some daiya. I had to get daiya for Dylan. He deserves his fave vegan cheese, and also he has been super picky about eating, so if he wants to eat daiya, he will have it.

Here is a picture of a non-vegan enjoying some vegan treats! He also loves Tofurky slices, but only the oven roasted.
I have also had smashing success with tacos. I've known non-vegans who are super weirded out by faux meats, but for some reason vegan beef crumbles are not weird. I've made tacos using vegan crumbles, and tacos with just black beans, and it seems that as long as the taco flavors are there, it's totally acceptable.
When it comes to non-vegans, I try to ignore the close-minded people. They are always going to have a problem or joke about vegan food, and they are probably pretty close-minded in all areas of life. It's hard to get anywhere when there is no way to get there, you know? But there are also tons of people who are open to vegan food, and are willing to eat and enjoy. And it's our job to welcome them, and feed and nourish them. I enjoy watching Buzzfeed videos of non-vegans trying vegan foods, because I love when you see faces light up first in delight, and then surprise.  A good vegan meal might not make someone go vegan overnight, but it can get the juices flowing, and open someone up to the delicious world of kind eating.

I'm oh so moody and mysterious.

I decided to end my post with this picture of Kanye, deep in thought. Life has so much to offer, and there are so many naps to be planned!

Let Me Guide Your Tour!

Today's Mofo prompt is kitchen tour time! As anyone who has been reading this blog knows, I loathe and detest my kitchen. It's a small, dark windowless dungeon, and it's only been a week or two since I've learned how to cook and not cuss everyone and everything out. So, I thought I would show some things that I use in my kitchen.

First up is my Ninja blender. It's no Vitamix, but it's the best blender I've ever owned, and probably as close to a Vitamix as I'll get. It is super easy  to make fruit and vegetable juice.

Where some magic happens!

My most used kitchen utensil is probably my tea kettle. I am obsessed with tea! I also leave those two pots/pans on the stove almost always. That way they are just there. I have problems with storing things in my kitchen because some of the cupboards were clearly made for someone who is taller than 5"4 inches tall. So when stuff gets shoved in the back, I have a hard time reaching.

Fancy sugar is a must for a kitchen!

I figured I would show a picture of these fancy sugars I found awhile ago at Grocery Outlet. Maple sugar, and vanilla sugar. The vanilla sugar is so delicious in a cup of Chai tea!

So fresh and so clean clean!

I recently discovered this brand of earth friendly dish soap. I also picked up this lemon room freshener. I really like both of these products, and I will be using these again. I found this at Target, and it is decently priced. It's frustrating sometimes when you want to buy the non-toxic stuff, but the price is toxic. The brand is J.R. Watkins by the way.

I had to take this picture because it makes me feel proud of where I am now in my life. These are bottles waiting to be refilled with the water I buy without fluoride. There was a time in my life not too long ago that these bottles would have been empty beer bottles, and there would have been many more!

Red Beans and rice didn't miss her

These are some of my pantry staples. Rarely does a day go by that I don't eat some type of beans and rice. Cheap, healthy and nutritious.

Gotta have my chocolate!

These are some dark chocolate bars I've discovered since moving here. I flirt with going refined sugar free, but I can't give up my chocolate needs!

"Oh hi, am I in the way"?

This is Roxy, who just had to have a picture taken. I often have a kitty nosing around what I'm doing in the kitchen. Dealing with such crammed space and kitties can be a bit hard at times, but look at that face! If you ever eat at my house, you have to be non-squeamish about cat hair in the food.

My main man!

And this is of course not my kitchen, but it is my guy Dylan. He is definitely having a better weekend. He is in the kitchen often, begging for Daiya!
I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Cooking Down Memory Lane!

Today's Mofo prompt is to talk about your favorite cookbook. This is impossible to narrow it down to one! I figured I would show my very first vegan cookbook I bought.

Well used!

I remember being in Barnes and Noble, and I couldn't believe how many vegan cookbooks existed! I felt so overwhelmed, and I just remember choosing this book because at 500 recipes it seemed like a great value, and most of the time money and value heavily rule my decisions. I didn't even know where to begin with this thing! So many recipes!

Some of the bookmarks fell out! There were more!

Some of the pages have stains on them, and most of the pages are dog-eared. When I first went vegan, I owned no cookbooks, and I didn't even own a computer! I totally just made up recipes in my own little head. It just takes a sincere desire to make it as a vegan. Anyway, this cookbook is a classic, and will always have a warm place in my heart.
I can't and won't say it's my FAVORITE, but it is where two of my favorite dishes come from. Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowich and Terry Hope Romero. I learned how to make the most perfect Snobby Joe. I have made this recipe so many times now that I don't even have to look at the recipe. They are so amazing, and since I am just me, I always have tons of leftovers, and I enjoy turning the Joe mix into something new. In the winter, I usually make these every week. Not only delicious, but super inexpensive. Another favorite of mine are the Lemony Greek potatoes. Another recipe I don't need to look at anymore. I do cut down the amount of oil to about two tablespoons, but other than that I make them as is, and they are amazing! They are lemony, and garlicky and just one of my favorite ways to eat potatoes. And your house/apartment will smell so amazing! The funny thing is I don't own my own copy of Veganomicon. I checked it out from the library when I lived in Erie PA. Cool and encouraging fact: during the time I lived in Erie, the library actually had to get a new copy of this book. I remember the first time I checked it out, it was looking a little "loved". I didn't mind the dog ears and stains, it made me feel connected. Anyway, maybe a year and many borrows later. I noticed a brand spanking new copy!

Lemony potato goodness, with a tomato and Just Mayo sandwich.

I always find it encouraging to know that there are so many vegans, or vegan curious people.
I know both of these cookbooks are older, but to be totally honest the last cookbook I bought was years ago at a used bookstore. Most of the cookbooks I use are checked out from the library, or now that I'm back in Seattle any I buy will be from a used bookstore. Cookbooks are an expense/luxury that just isn't really in my budget. Hopefully someday! It's been fun going down memory lane, and while I was leafing through 500 Vegan Recipes I found several more recipes to mark that I want to try! I can't wait to learn about some more vegan cookbooks today!

Behold, The Mighty...

Today's Mofo prompt is Focus on a nutrient. So much easier than something blue! In sticking with cooking what I have, I decided to focus on Lycopene, found in my late summer friend, the tomato!

Lycopene is what makes tomatoes red. It is also found in watermelon, guava, red grapefruit, papaya, carrots, and red cabbage. There are studies that show Lycopene can help prevent heart disease, and some cancers. According to the Mayo Clinic, Lycopene is very beneficial to those people with asthma. Lycopene also becomes more powerful when cooked.
Years ago I read an article online about tomatoes and skin aging. The article followed a woman who had some sun damage, and she ate a tablespoon of

straight up tomato paste on a cracker every day for some time, and sure enough the before and after pictures were pretty amazing. It really did repair some of the damage.
When I was little I HATED tomatoes! I didn't mind tomato sauce, but I really never liked ketchup that much. I've grown to love tomatoes, although I  can only eat fresh tomatoes in season. A mealy winter tomato is enough to make me gag. Ketchup is still my least favorite condiment though!
I had some crusty bread, and a box of  Qrunch Burgers in my freezer, so I decided on a "Parmesan" sub, or hoagie. I had the spicy Italian flavor burger, so it all just made sense.

So much tastier than botox!!

I made a super quick marinara, and I even used my own fresh basil and oregano! I used the last of my Chao as the cheese, and the rest is hoagie history!
I did take a picture of the sandwich, which I served with a delicious salad, but every single picture was worse than the one before. The sandwich was delicious, and I don't want to discourage anyone from trying these burgers.
I think today's prompt to focus on a nutrient is such a great one to remind all of us that food really is medicine. I know a lot of people eye roll when you say that, but I guess the truth gets a lot of eye rolls sometimes.

"We both totally fit in here"!

I'm having fun snapping pictures of my unsuspecting, silly, and lazy kitties. This is Kanye and Chunk. Chunk(in the back) was there first, and Kanye likes to try to annoy him out of his spot. When it doesn't work, she just crams herself in the space. As you can see, there is a free space inches away from Chunk, but what's the fun when you can't bug?

Hooky Day!!

Today's Mofo prompt is a toughie- Something Blue. Other than blueberries, and blue corn tortillas, I am at a loss. Since my budget is shoestring at best this week, I have to sit today out. I'm not sitting it out I guess, but I'm doing my own thang today. I can't afford blueberries this week, and to be honest, while I like blueberries, they are probably my least favorite berry. I'll take a raspberry or strawberry any day. I did take a picture of everything I ate yesterday.

It's hard to make soup pretty.

I started my day with lentil soup. This has brown and red lentils along with some tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and fennel seed. And crushed red pepper OF COURSE! I'm thinking of devoting a week on my blog to the mighty lentil. They can do so much, and are soooooo inexpensive. I like starting my day with lentil soup. I feel hearty and strong, like I can handle anything.

Green is kind of like blue?

I had this big green juice for lunch. This had kale, Romaine, celery, ginger, green grapes, and pear. Really delicious. I've been juicing almost daily for about a year now. I know there are people who swear by juicing, and there are people who say it has no merit, and you should eat the vegetables and fruit whole. I can only speak for myself, but I notice a big change in how I feel since I adopted this habit. I believe in still eating whole fruits and vegetables of course, but I also think juicing is great for the body. There are so many "experts" out there telling us what to eat and drink, and what the newest must do diet is, I think we forget to listen to our own bodies. I've noticed since I began this healthier phase of my life, my body tells me what works and what doesn't.

Cute kitty intermission

Fillings for lettuce wraps!

Lettuce!

New to me flavor.

I had simple lettuce wraps for dinner with oven baked tofu, rice, and some pickled carrots and green onion. The star of my dinner was the sauce. I used this recipe, except I didn't use any oil. I want hoisen sauce in my peanut sauce always now. This sauce is drinkable. Is it just me, or is it really fun and satisfying to eat a meal with your hands?
I saw this new to me flavor of Endangered species chocolate. Raspberry orange cream yum. The flavor was a bit underwhelming. I've had other flavors in their line of cream filled chocolates, and the flavor has been much stronger. Still delicious and worth a try. It's very rich, so a few squares really satisfy.
I hope to be back on the prompt grind tomorrow, feeling rested and refreshed!

So Groovy!

Today's Mofo prompt is Most Retro Recipe. I had to spend some time researching retro foods. It was very , let's say interesting. There are some foods that just should never exist, and certainly don't need to be veganised! I was feeling somewhat pressured because of my shoestring budget, but also because whatever I made, I was going to have to also eat. I was reading about Swanson's microwave dinners, and how popular they became in the 50's. I went to various retro forums(yes, they exist) and it seemed from the 50's and up processed food was a common theme, and every decade mentions some type of T.V. dinner. I had some stuff on hand to make a somewhat healthier T.V. dinner.

I read many people declare their love for microwave dinners that involve macaroni and cheese, and fish sticks. So, I decided to make some delicious vegan mac and cheese, and some Gardein Fishless filets. This dinner was supposed to include a vegetable, with green peas seeming to be the go to veg, but alas my peas were lost in the power outage, and I haven't restocked yet. I attempted to make corn on the cob but the ears had gone bad. It wasn't a good night for vegetables. I would like to say that the macaroni and cheese was the best I've made so far. really creamy and rich. I made an almond milk sauce with nutritional yeast, S&P, smoked paprika, and some cornstarch for thickening. What took it over the top was the addition of three slices of Chao creamy original. This makes the best vegan mac and cheese ever. Chao is thicker that daiya, and it melts and makes the sauce so thick and cheesey. This is the macaroni and cheese to serve to people who cry that they can't give up cheese! I also made a quick tartar sauce with some Just Mayo and sweet relish. Truth be told, I don't really care for tartar sauce all that much. I think I prefer malt vinegar for my fishless filets. Anyway, I do feel like this would look more retro with the little spoonful of green peas, but what can you do!

Chunk!

I thought I would leave you with this cute picture Chunk, loving life without a cone around his neck!

Friendz

Today's Mofo prompt is to make a new vegan friend. That should be easy enough to do in a city like Seattle, but I have to admit it hasn't yet happened. Although I enjoy doing things in Seattle, I enjoy the energy and vibe and general open mindedness of this city and people, I haven't yet looked for any vegan groups or anything. I am an introvert by nature, and just feeling free to be myself and free to not hear hate speech every time I go somewhere has been good enough for me so far. I also of course have friends here that I've had for awhile, but they are neither new, or vegan. I do feel like I have made friends online, which I never thought I would say! It's been really amazing connecting with people through the vegan blogging world! That's one of my favorite things about traveling by Greyhound bus. You meet and connect with people you never would have met, and may never see again. The random connections are what makes life really interesting.
I have connected with a few people who comment on this blog, and it just feels so amazing, and to keep it really honest, really helped me keep my sanity when I felt so alone while living in Erie, PA. I had some really long conversations with one person, Almost a Vegan, and it really made me feel less lonely, and I always looked forward to the little google notification! I also connected with Vegan In The VI, formerly The Shenandoah Vegan. And all that time I was feeling so lonely in Pa, someone who's blog I was a fan of, Jennifer Bliss of My Blissful Journey lived under two hours away! Now, I feel like we're friends, and I live on the west coast. Like I said yesterday, Life! These connections have meant the world to me, and one of the best things to come out of my decision to start blogging! These connections have helped me to feel more confident as a person, and more confident as a vegan. Sometimes it's easy to start losing your voice when it seems no one is interested. We can't lose our voice, because there aren't enough of us, and the animals need us. So I am so grateful for my internet friends, I value them so much.
In other friend news, Dylan(not a vegan, but he loves vegan food!) has been doing a little better yesterday and so far today. His appetite is up a little, and he seems a little less confused. Anything I do know about friendship, I learned from him.
In food news, I needed comfort and am also on a shoestring budget, so I made my favorite smothered burritos.

An old friend.

 These are just burritos stuffed with brown rice and pinto beans, with a cashew queso sauce I made with some cashews, nutritional yeast, and salsa. Topped with green onions, and hot sauce of course!
I also picked this up as an impulse buy. I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful friend!

Yes!!

I've never had this flavor, and I feel for the sake of this blog, and my feelings of course, I just had to try this. I may be seeking too much comfort in food recently but there was a time in my not too distant past that I would be smoking cigarettes and drinking far too much alcohol to cope. I've walked by gas stations a few times, and I have to admit I've been tempted, but I don't want to cope that way. It's an empty relief, and I think feeling physically good is what is giving me the strength to handle not feeling strong emotionally. Mind, body, spirit and all of that.
Vegan Mofo is just giving me all the warm and fuzzies this year, and I just love it, and really needed it!