HAPPY NEW YEAR! The year is over and a new one is beginning

2009 was a year of firsts for me. Let be begin by saying that I have come to the realization that I am a picky eater. It all seems normal to me until I look outside myself and realize that to the general public I don't like much of anything at all. Then add veganism to it and it really looks like there is nothing I eat. I don't really care much for sauces, dressings. I eat the same veggies over and over again. I won't touch anything with corn syrup in it or very rarely. I decided it was time to rectify this or at least a little. I added veggies to my diet. Veggies that I have either never tried or was scared to try all my life. This includes

Brussel Sprouts



Asparagus



Purple (blue) potatoes




Not pictured but also tried was Jicama.
I also tried twice to make seitan.




The first attempt was horrible. I got the recipe from veg cooking which surprised me because every recipe I've ever used off of the site has been wonderful. I finally found a recipe for pepperoni seitan from fat free vegan and it was wonderful, easy, tasty. I made it twice already. Awesome stuff.

So here is to hoping that 2010 will bring a more healthier me with new veggies and fruits to try. I've got 20lbs more to lose before July so I can look great on my first cruise. I've already lost 18 and that took a little more than a year and a lot of tweaking done to my diet.
May all of you have a great new year and I hope the year brings wonderful new experiences your way.

Merry Christmas!!

It's been a very busy week and I'm still not done yet. We still have presents to wrap and food to cook. Fortunately I have all the cookies done and some bread as well.
Hope all of you have a great Christmas this year.
Here are some pics of the cookies and pumpkin cranberry nut bread (with a baked sugar top)

Happy Hanukkah!!!!

Last night was the start of Hanukkah and I celebrated with making Latkes ( shredded potato pancakes mixed with onion, salt, pepper and a couple of other things ).
I'm not Jewish but I once lived in a Jewish neighbourhood and I hold the Jewish people in high esteem so this was my excuse to make such a wonderful recipe.
I had to search online for a vegan version of these and I picked one out of several. They came out great.



Very easy to make.
2lbs potato shredded
1 small onion shredded
1 tbsp egg replacer
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt ( i like salt )
2 tbsp flour

Mix it all up together and shallow fry in oil. Make sure that each side is very golden so that the middle is cooked thoroughly.

Latkes are traditionally eaten with applesauce but you could also use some vegan sour cream.

For some history on Hanukkah you can go here

Grow your own and then make these

Whole wheat pizza crust topped with sauce and veggies



Roasted garlic mashed potatoes



What do these yummie foods have in common? Herbs!
Grow your own. It's easy and its fun. Well, I think its fun and best
of all its way cheaper than buying fresh herbs and tastes better
than dried on the grocery store shelf herbs.

Heres Rosemary



Oregano



Oregano on the left and Rosemary on the right ready
for chopping.




Basil





You can grow herbs in the house on a windowsill, which I think is
the best way. Less bug problems. Basil is pretty easy to grow outside if
you do it in the spring into summer. By autumn the weather is too cold for
them. Herbs can be planted year round if you keep them in the house. Just
be mindfull of cold air around your windows. You may have to take them
away during the night and replace them in the morning.