Where Has the Time Gone?

Hello, everyone! It's been so long! How are you? What's new? I can't believe how long it's been since the last time I posted anything. I know everyone has life get in the way of things...work, health, other obligations, etc. - you name it. I'm not going to make excuses, but I am going to try to do a better job of posting as I try to get my health back on track (more on that in another post).

Previously when I have posted, it was in the context of Vegan MoFo (the month of vegan food for anyone not familiar). As I continue to post from here on out my goal is to incorporate information related to different health issues, nutrition topics, and of course I will also get back to posting about *yummy* vegan food.

So to get things started, I’ve decided to begin with the yummy part and in a few days I’ll hit on some of the other stuff. So, what did you have for lunch?

For us it was a wonderful Tofurky Turkey Rueben. Note that when I use the word 'wonderful', I do not use it lightly, so these sandwiches definitely had the *wow* factor! I have been craving one of these sandwiches for a couple of years now and *finally* had one the way I wanted it: a couple of piece of toasted homemade rye bread piled high with sauerkraut and Tofurky turkey slices, topped with homemade Russian Dressing. Allow me to say: OH MY GOD. I was in Rueben heaven!! I highly recommend this sandwich to anyone out there looking for something good to eat, if you have been in a rut...or if you haven't been in a rut - you still need to make this sandwich. And devour it.

So, click ‘here' for the rye bread recipe – I found it over at the VegWeb website…

For the Russian Dressing, I mixed 3 TBS of Veganaise with 1 tsp of ketchup (non high fructose corn syrup, of course) and added about 1 – 1.5 tsp relish.

Sorry there isn’t a pic to post…we ate the sandwiches way too quickly to get one – they were that good!

Stay tuned for more info later…and, if you have any topics you think would be good ones to address, please email me and let me know!

Take care and happy eating!

-omnivorenomore aka danielle

Christmas Came Early...And Apparently Santa Thought I Was Good!

Oh, what a day...the day after Thanksgiving is always a tough one. All those yummy left overs...nowhere to go but into the tummy! So I'm afraid that means there isn't much new to talk about unless you want to hear about how yummy they were all over again. But, I won't put you through that...I'm too nice that way.

On another note, I'm visiting my parents' house today. This will be the only time I will be in before the Christmas season and Christmas has come early. My parents went ahead and gave me my present and I am so excited! Apparently Santa was listening in on a prior conversation I had with my mom when I was lamenting about wanting a Oster CKSTBRTW20 2 lb Expressbake Bread Maker as he and his trusty elfin friends delivered one here early just for us! I cannot wait to get it back to Texas and start making bread...I just don't know which recipe to try first. After looking around and many many recipes I stumbled upon a simple Italian bread recipe at FatFreeRecipes.com. Nice, simple, tasty. Yep, think that's what I'll try first...can't wait! Oh, and did I mention that I'll be styling while baking? My niece gave me a present today as well-she made me the prettiest apron in her sewing circle class...I am quite excited as I have kind of developed a thing for aprons here lately.

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy extended weekend. I'm off to dream of bread. Happy MoFo to all and to all a good night!

Miso Soup For The Soul...

I don't know what the deal is here lately but it seems that for the past several days I have been nauseated on and off, unfortunately mostly on. Not sure of the culprit. Several of my medication dosages have been changed as my doctor and I are trying to work through some neurological issues but on top of that we are still trying to get my hormone levels under control following my total hysterectomy this summer for unrelated gyn issues.

For all I know it could be just good old-fashioned stress. I just registered for my first semester back to school since being sick (and for those wondering, no, I am not going back to medical school). I have decided to investigate a Masters in Nutrition and am taking courses beginning in January 2011 at Texas State University, San Marcos. My interest in veganism and how proper nutrition has aided in my coping with Pseudotumor Cerebri (well, the brain surgery has helped, too!) is providing the perfect backdrop for this degree. Poor nutritional choices helped to land me in hot water and I want to help others keep from making those same mistakes. And besides, the credentials backing up a vegan diet can't hurt either, now can it?

All of that aside, my latest working theory for the nausea is related to real estate. We finally made an offer on a house yesterday. Sooooo, just waiting for the current owners to decide in this back-and-forth game we play. For those of you who do not know me, patience is not a virtue of mine in situations like this! I'm guessing that is the cause. Or the hormones. Or the medicines. Ugh!!!

How am I dealing with it, you ask? I tried 'killing' it with copious amount of hot pepper last night (you'll read about that in another post, lol) but that was not the best idea. Today I am trying another approach. Miso soup.

Used for centuries for its healing properties, I believe miso soup was what kept me from being ill last winter while staying in the hospital with my father-in-law when he was sick. I had a mug every morning while talking to the doctors as the rounded, asking them questions regarding their approach to his cancer treatment for that day. The soup was just as soothing this morning as it was last winter. Think I will have another mug tomorrow...

Cupcakes Have Taken Over...Again!!!

Yes, Tuesday was not only Election Day, but more importantly it was my husband's birthday. The big 42...woo hoo!!! Surprisingly, his dinner requests were modest as he wanted Tofurky Kielbasa and Sauerkraut. We also had a side salad with Cashew Tamari dressing that was quite yummy...

For desert Tom requested cupcakes. Actually, his cupcake request began several days ago and as the days passed, the type of cupcake changed from one to another. Yesterday's request was for a lemon cupcake and that request held through to today...and fortunately, Ms. Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Ms. Terry Hope Romero had the solution to my problem-how do I make lemon cupcakes???

If you have not already done so, I urge you to pick up your copy of Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule. This book truly rules. I have tried several recipes from it and none have disappointed, especially the Lemon Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream Icing (I hope I got the names right...I'm kinda in a sugar coma at the moment.) I was worried that Tom might not like them but he had already eaten a cupcake even before I had gotten the icing on them. It's been about 3 hours since I made them and he's had several...but to be nice I won't give a specific number. (If I listed his number eaten I would only have to list the number I've eaten to be fair and well...I just don't want to go there :-)

So, I am going to go drink a ton of water then go to bed, 'cause that's how I roll. Like I said, if you haven't gotten this book for your cookbook selection yet, click on the pic and ORDER IT NOW!!! You won't be disappointed. Oh, by the way, in case I haven't mentioned it, today is also my 15 month veganniversary. Yay!!!

Happy baking!
Danielle

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For...Popcorn!!!

Popcorn. Lovely fluffy pieces of popcorn. That’s what I had a craving for...and what I decided I had to make. So off to the grocery I went and while at this particular grocery I noticed that all brands of microwavable popcorn contained some form of dairy, so they were out for me. I was about to leave disappointed when I noticed the bag of corn kernels on the bottom shelf...’Ah-ha!’ I thought...I had found a solution.


At home I was a little hesitant as to how to make the popcorn...I don’t have an air popper so the stove top was the only cooking method I had available. I followed the instructions on the back of bag, well almost...I cut down on the amount of oil, and used a large soup pot. I placed foil on the top to serve as a lid and vented the side and placed the heat on med-low. I just kept the pan moving above the heat so I wouldn't scorch any of the kernels...those beautiful perfect golden kernels...


Then, magic happens...the kernels began popping left and right, popping up against the foil creating little pock marks on the underside. To me, this was the coolest thing!...Yes, I know. I am a dork.

After it was all done, I poured it in a nice big bowl and sprinkled a heaping amount of nutritional yeast on the top. End result -- yumminess!!! Next, I commenced eating. Nom nom nom...

 

If you are interested in the nutritional info of popcorn and the oil used, then check out the following link from Dr. Andrew Weil. Note that popcorn prepared in this manner is much healthier than eating microwave popcorn...info on that can be found in the links below.

Dr. Weil's Info On Popcorn

Health Risks Of Microwave Popcorn

Health Benefits Of Air Popped Popcorn

When Eating Popcorn Was Hazardous To Your Lungs


  












P.S. Happy birthday to my honey!!!! I'll hopefully have pics of what I baked for him tomorrow! (fingers crossed) 

Mmmm, Breakfast of Champions.

Gooooood Moooooooorniiiing Veeeeeeeeegaaaaan MoooooooFooooooo!!!!!!!!!

This morning I wanted something really good but I didn't know what...finally decided on oatmeal. But I didn't want the usual oatmeal. Normally I do a nice mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon but today, I wanted something a little more reminiscent of pumpkin pie. What can I say...it's that time of year...

After cooking my oatmeal I then added a touch of brown sugar with a nice dose of pumpkin pie spice. The oatmeal was a little thick and I should have added a splash of vanilla soy milk, but I was too hungry to take the time to do so. I know...lame excuse. Still though, even without the soy milk the end result: great oatmeal! Very pleased with the flavor and will definitely be repeating the experiment!

Flavor aside, I should consider adding oatmeal to my diet several times a week. As a whole grain, there are numerous health benefits. As it is widely known, oatmeal helps reduce the body's concentration of LDL, or bad cholesterol. Studies show it may also provide protection against high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.* Recent studies have also shown a link between oatmeal and an anti-inflammatory effect, for those paying particularly close attention to foods in that category.*

So eat up...just watch what you add to this nutrition grain-don't add a lot of crap-and start your day off right!
 














*Heartier Benefits Seen From Oatmeal

It's About That Time!

Hey everyone!!! Guess what. It's about that time again...yep, you guessed it, Vegan MoFo! (Um, that's Vegan Month of Food for the newbies...) I am very excited at the opportunity to tell you about everything I eat, drink, and think about that is food related...well, most of it will be food related, I'm sure. I can tell you are excited, too, lol!


Another thing I am excited about is that my best friend, a carnivore, is attempting a vegan diet thanks to Vegan MoFo. (I would like to think just a little bit because of me, too, but whatever works!) How cool is this??? So, as a favor, I ask you to consider following her blog, Michelle's Munchies. She is known for her kick-ass gourmet sugar cookies, and trust me, they are good! (I can't eat them anymore now, but back in the day...nom nom nom.)


If you at any time have considered eating more plants...now is the time! Let the countdown begin!


BTW, Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!