They love to be snuggled up on their heated throw and they dare you to move them. They are the funniest little creatures. They are my  fur babies and just like any mom I like to spoil them. I have been known to give them special meals quite often. I will chop up carrots and peas and throw them into their dogfood with some vegetable broth.They are happy little campers.They love carrots , apples and countless other pieces of veggies that may drop on the floor during my cooking sessions How could you resist that face ?

They were my inspiration today for my baking experiment. I wanted to make a little doggy snack for them. Just because I’m easing up a bit on the baked goods I have to channel my energy on other things

Apple Carrot Nibbles

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 large apple (minced)

1/2 cup carrot (chopped)

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup water

Pre -heat oven to 350

I chopped the apple and carrot in processor until nicely chopped.

In large bowl mix flour,oats,cinnamon and add to mixture apple,carrot,maple syrup,and water until mixture forms a dough.

Scoop out small mounds onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes and flip over and bake for another 10 minutes.

They were jumping for joy

I even had a little nibble myself and they were not too bad. I think the neighborhood dogs may get an early Christmas gift from their neighbors Buck  & Chuck.

These were very easy and it would make a sweet little gesture for the fur babies in your life or others.

Buck & Chuck say woof woof vegan dog treats rock

Today I wanted to spice up some potatoes. I couldn’t decide between sweet potatoes or white potatoes so I went for both Earlier this month I was introduced to a sweet and spicy marinade that I have just fallen in love with. It is all natural and its a great blend of spices and peppers.

Captain Rodney's

I have always been a sucker for sweet and sour sauces. I’m also a dipper I love to dip my veggies,bread,crackers and countless other things into dips. So I get excited when I find those things that are all natural and vegan.If I could only find a solution to ranch dressing!!!!! Here’s the website if you would like to check it out….. http://captainrodneys.com

Sweet Potato Pie

Sliced sweet & white potatoes

1/2 cup canned or fresh corn

Half of a sweet onion

1/2 cup Captain Rodney’s

3/4 cup – 1 cup water

1 tsp. garam masala

1/2 tsp Herbs De Provence

salt to taste

olive oil for drizzling

Pre-heat oven 10 425

I simply sliced 1 sweet potato and 1 white potato and layered in a casserole dish drizzling olive oil  and salting between layers. Add corn and sprinkle Herbs De Provence to top.You could add any spice you wish

Bake for 15 minutes

While potatoes are baking saute the chopped onion until carmelized and adding water ,garam masala and Captain Rodney’s

After 15 minutes take potatoes out of oven and pour mixture over top and bake for additional 15 minutes.

This turned out fabulous. It was just the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Those are my favorite combinations. Opposites do attract huh  ? I also liked the blend of both types of potatoes plus it gives your dish a lot of color

Well I must go and suit up for my 2 mile run maybe more we will see. I just figure it’s probably best to ease back into running when you have been under the weather for a week.

I hope you are having a splendid day… you deserve it

During my resting time it has giving me the time to reflect upon what I have been putting into my body. Sure I focus on eating a vegetarian/vegan diet but what I realize is that in my attempt to veganize a lot of my holiday goodies that I have done this overload on sugar. I have become this mad chef turning my holiday cookies and cakes into the vegan variety. I have had quite a bit of success because you know that you have to taste test things My belief is that no food is the enemy but it’s how we eat these foods that become the enemy. Moderation is always the key. As much baking as I do around the holidays I am challenging myself to cut back on the baked goods for 14 days as kind of a cleanse.

I don’t like being sick and this is the sickest I have been in a long while I start today with paying closer attention to what I’m putting in my body. I will focus on eating more of a variety of fruits and veggies. I want to share this with for the next 14 days to keep me accountable. I feel like my body so needs this right now.I can’t wait to get back to my training and just to get back on track.

Do you ever get into eating ruts? Do you find it difficult sometimes to take rest days when you are not feeling your best? I know that ever since I started running that it’s sometimes difficult to take needed rest days because I love it so much.I am always curious how other people deal with these issues.

Until recently the only time I believe I had ever eaten a fig was when it was in a Fig Newton I had never tried them just on their own. I have always seen recipes where people had baked them so that’s what inspired me to pair them up with some roasted beets awhile back. I fell in love (swoon). I love their sweetness and chewy texture and their overall presentantion when baked up to golden goodness.

I believe figs are one of those fruits that are often misunderstood and very much looked over. If you asked most people what a fig was they would refer to the newton or the line in the Christmas song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”  That was me just up until a few weeks ago but now I am prepared to get Figgy with it.

Figgy Delights

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup spelt flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 cup sucanat or light brown sugar

1/4 cup organic granulated sugar

3/4 cup Earth Balance (softened)

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

2 chia eggs ( 1 Tbsp chia ground chia seeds to 1/4 cup water per egg)

Pre- heat oven to 375

Beat Earth Balance,sugars.vanilla and chia eggs until well combined.

Whisk together flours, salt and baking powder.

Add wet ingredients into dry and mix well.

Scoop out into mounds and try to create an indention in each cookie and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

When cookies have cooled fill centers with fig filling.

Fig Filling

About 1 1/4 cup dried figs

1/4 cup orange juice

1 Tbsp pre maple syrup

Process in a blender or processor until smooth texture forms.

Next time I make these I will probably make them more bite size but these are so good It makes a great Christmas time cookie. Don’t you wish they had a smell app for your computer ?

Have a good one !

As I was sitting at my desk at work today I had a brainstorm from out of no where I came home and started scurrying around my kitchen to gather my ingredients. I felt like a mad scientist going from the fridge to the pantry and grabbing my spices  Those hamsters were really spinning that wheel up there in my head.

Thus I introduce to you …….

Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Alfredo Sauce

1 Roasted red bell pepper * See note at bottom of recipe

3/4 cup toasted walnuts

1 1/2 cup almond milk

1/3 cup nutritional yeast

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper or more if you like a lot of spice

Warm Almond milk and add yeast and spices while peppers are roasting. Place all ingredients into a blender or processor and blend.

Once blended place into sauce pan and add in 1 Tbsp flour mixed with 1 Tbsp water to thicken sauce. Heat until thickened a bit and serve over your favorite pasta

* To roast pepper cut in half, remove seeds and ly in a broiler pan or cast iron skillet. Rub with olive oil and broil until outer skin is blackened. When done remove blackened skin.

I have to say not too many of my brainstorms turn out to be great the first time around but this was very delicious. It was warm and toasty and hit the spot for a cheesy sauce craving It’s not even got out of the 30 degree temps here today but this sauce warmed me all the way down to my toes

 I served my sauce over whole wheat angel hair pasta with brocoli florets. Yum Yum Yum!

Happy Hump Day Everybody

Being vegan has opened my taste buds to so many different things and I love coming up with new ideas to share with others. When I used to hear the word vegan I thought the same things that most people think….Tastless food….nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s a world of some the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten

LEMON TEA COOKIES

Pre-heat oven to 425

Mix together

1 cup Earth Balance

1/2 cup sugar

1 Chia egg ( 1 Tbsp ground chia seeds to 1/4 cup water)

 Stir In….

3 tsp. lemon extract

Sift together and stir in….

3 cups all – purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

Roll out onto floured area and cut into shapes if desired. Bake for 10 minutes. Brush with Lemon Glaze and enjoy with your favorite cup of tea or anything that makes you happy

Lemon Glaze

Mix together…..

3/4 cup powdered sugar

11/2  Tbsp almond milk

1 Tbsp Lemon Extract

The perfect pick me up on this cold rainy day. Being from the south I have always enjoyed my sweet iced tea in the summer time months but I have absolutely fallen for hot tea this season. I am enjoying this very yummy peach tea and I also have a peppermint tea that is delish.So if you will excuse me I’m going to go enjoy my tea and cookies

Enjoy your day

My diet for the last two days has not been very exciting either. My appetite has been zapped and these are the only things that I even care to consider right now:

These have been a life saver for my throat

I have fallen in love in with hot tea even before I became sick.

Soup...its good for the soul

All of these things plus plenty of rest have made me feel  a little better. I’m still recovering and can’t wait to feel normal again The body is an amazing thing in how it heals itself when given the proper care. If you take the time and listen to it and respect it you will bounce back from injury or sickness a lot quicker

I hope this post finds all of you well but if you happen to be under the weather as I am please take it easy and take of yourself.

This is a quick post to check in and say I hope wherever you find yourself this Saturday that you make the most of it and have a great day You deserve it! If you were among the thousands that participated in the Black Friday Shopping then you will probably find yourself  just taking it easy today Enjoy!

I am starting my half marathon training tomorrow and I’m a little intimidated. Although I am a regular runner I run a lot on the treadmill and there is quite a difference with that and road running. Plus I have to start training on hills Before I started running I used to walk hills a lot but have gotten out that routine a bit so now let the fun begin. I will be posting my stats here on my blog  just to keep me accountable and on track. I really am excited and know it’s the beginning of an adventure. Wish me luck

Well it’s off to work for now. I’ll be stopping back in this evening to share something yummy with you

Have a great day !

I remember fondly of being in her house around the holidays and it was always so warm and cozy and smelled of the most delicious aromas. You always felt welcome there and never needed an invitation to come in. Her door was always open. Although my family still gets together for the holidays, she was definitely the glue that held us together. I miss her very much and can still hear her funny little laugh she had. We still carry on the traditions around Thanksgiving and Christmas but it’s still just not the same.

I don’t know of too many grandmothers who don’t have recipes to hand down even though the dishes don’t come out like grandmas. I found this to be true of a lot of recipes that were my mamaws. I’m sure it was that extra pinch and dash of love they put into everything they made. I used to love to watch my mamaw cook. She rarely used a mixer because everything she did she either had her hands in it or she used good ole elbow grease. I love my kitchen gadgets but I do find myself just using my own two hands a lot.

My husband and his family didn’t have a grandmother or a mamaw they had a Gabby.I never was fortunate enough to meet Gabby but from the stories I hear she was a vivacious ,spunky little woman who was always the life of the party. Sometime after her passing one of her granddaughters compiled a book of her recipes  to give away to the family as gifts. It’s full of all kinds of recipes that were very much traditions for their family and most of them are in her original handwriting which makes it even more special

I love recipes. I love looking at all kinds of cook books. I know I definitely get that from my mother. She has a huge collection of them. I am always scanning tons of them for inspiration. I like to take the recipes that were childhood favorites and convert them to being vegan. Some are challenging but I love a challenge Tonights challenge is a Gabby favorite and it’s a Moravian Sugar Cake. Before marrying my husband I had never heard of such a thing. He is from Ohio and it is very much a holiday favorite. My challenge is not so much about making it vegan but downsizing it. Her recipe makes a huge quantity. So here goes  Gabby……

Moravian Sugar Cake

( Note I halved everything to make a smaller batch) This is her recipe as it reads

Pre-heat oven to  375

3/4 cup Earth Balance

1 cup mashed potato

1 cup sugar

2 eggs( I used chia eggs 1 Tbsp chia seeds to 1/4 cup water per egg)

2 packages yeast in 1 cup warm water

1 tsp salt

Mix above ingredients and add 3 cups all-purpose flour and let stand 5 minutes

Add an additional 2 cups of flour

Place into 8 inch pans and punch holes in tops. Drizzle melted butter and 2 cups brown sugar + 5 tsp cinnamon.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Behold the wonderful flavor of a yeast cake with a brown sugary crusted top. Can you smell it?

Do you have favorite traditions in  your family ? What are they?

Life is short so cherish those that you love Have a great evening!

 Little furry babies

A husband who loves,supports,and is always cheering me on

A huge family that loves and supports me

Grace because I couldn't and wouldn't want to live without it.

Fruits,veggies and all the whole foods I love

 

 

 

Hands that have the ability to mix,blend,stir and whisk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warmth....enough said

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

running water or just water for that matter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ability to use my legs for walking and running.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could go on and on but that would make this post enormous! I had a friend who had posted on her Facebook status this morning that said…..”Thinking about all you have to be thankful for makes you happy It’s hard to be negative when we focus on being thankful”. I thought that was a great thought.

I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!