Who doesn't love appetizers?

I found a recipe for Artichoke Dip (from The Kind Diet) so I decided to try it tonight before dinner. It turned out pretty good. Served with some whole wheat crackers, it was a great addition to a good meal!

2 (8.5 oz) cans quartered artichoke hearts in water, drained
1 c Vegenaise
1 c grated soy Parmesan
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
Paprika
Crackers for dipping

Mash up the artichokes in a bowl. Add Vegenaise, cheese, and garlic and combine well. Place in baking dish, and bake 350 degrees for 30 mins or until browned on top. Sprinkle with paprika and serve.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'm sure there are many of you out there wondering what I did yesterday for Thanksgiving. Here is what was on my menu:

Field Roast (premade-bought from Whole Foods)
Mashed Potatoes, made with Soy Milk and Soy Butter
Tofurkey Gravy
Roasted Vegetables (which I made and everyone RAVED about)
Dinner Roll

And for dessert, I made Pumpkin Muffins!!!

I was a wonderful meal, so good I might have to make it again soon!!

The POWER of a Vegan Lifestyle!

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

BEFORE

NOW


Obviously a vegan lifestyle has changed our lives. Hopefully it's changing yours too!

Panera VS Bread Co

If you are looking for a great vegetarian sandwich, I have found one! It's at Bread Co (or for you non-STL's, Panera) and it's called the Mediterranean Veggie and it's delish!! To be vegan just ask for no feta. It has a great spread and a nice crunch to it. It's also only 560 calories for a whole sandwich, which is one of the lowest on their menu!

Amazing Side Dish!

Maple-Mustard-Glazed Potatoes and String Beans!!! It sounds scrumptious, doesn't it?? The smell was mouth-watering and it did not disappoint! Best side dish I have made, would be great to impress a non-Vegan friend!

2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes, halved
1/2 pound string beans, halved, ends cut off (I would add a bit more)
1 yellow onion, thickly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 TBSP tamari or soy sauce
1/4 c pure maple syrup
3 TBSP Dijon mustard
2 TBSP olive oil

Preheat oven to 400, grease 9x13 dish. Put potatoes, string beans, and onion is a 9x13 dish. In a bowl mix together remaining ingredients until the mustard is dissolved. Pour over the vegetables and mix until coated. Cover with foil and put in oven. Bake 25 mins. Remove and toss, spooning sauce over mixture. Turn oven down to 350 and cook for 25 mins uncovered. Remove and toss, spooning sauce over mixture again, cook 25 more mins.

Salads and Shopping

I spent quite a bit of time shopping yesterday at Nordstroms Half-Yearly Sale. After all my conquests, ie. purchases, I decided it was time for a quick bite. Since I was right next to Nordstroms Cafe I thought I should give it a try. After looking over the menu I decided on their Nicoise Salad. I was delicious!! The dressing was amazing and the potatoes were hot which added an interesting touch to the salad. I ordered it without the egg and salmon.

Mexican Casserole

Tonight for dinner I made a new recipe, a Mexican Casserole. While everything in it I love, (tortilla chips, "ground beef", refried beans, cheese) together it did not turn out great. Oh well, you have to keep trying to find ones you like!