Always exploring

  So I have been busy trying new recipes and I thought I would share some of my new favorites.The picture from the top is Chickpea burgers with Tahini sauce and are from Colleen Patrick-Goudreau new book "The 30 day Vegan Challenge" on page 164.The recipe is posted on Fat Free Vegan Kitchen if you want to check it out. I really enjoyed reading her new book and I am still in training and exploring new things to cook with.I would highly recommend this new book. It's easy to read, amazing recipes and Colleen  helps explain all the myths of being vegan. Back to these little Burger delights. They are fabulous the next day broken in half and put in a greek style wrap. For a burger no sauce 3 points.No cholesterol and 1/2 tsp of salt in the recipe.It's full of fiber and protein.Super yummy!!! Check these guys out.

  Picture two is the recipe I did last night.OMG so awesome!!!! Sweet potato and black bean enchiladas from Decembers Vegetarian Times.Sweet mother... these were so good.I changed the cheese it called for queso fresco ( I had to google that one).I wanted John to try so I just added some Mexican Cheese instead.I could have tried it with Daiya brand cheese but I'm still "leaning" .They are fabulous the next day.I had them with Tofutti Sour Cream, it was my first time trying it and I will most definitely switch my sour cream(no cholesterol) .John had it too and he really liked this recipe!! One big serving was 5 points.I will make these again and I will not be shy about sharing these with company.

 Picture 3 is a " I would highly recommend". The two new Vegetarian Times I have picked up recently have been outstanding.If you want some new veggie ideas, Holiday ideas for easy cookies or perhaps one veggie dish to try this season- buy the new December issue!!!! It is worth every penny.The healthy soup and stews is another.It is earmarked for some recipes this week.I have so many recipes I want to try I am a little overwhelmed.

  The last mouth watering find.Fatburgers..veggie burger.Who knew that these were so amazing.Clearly this will be my new burger place.This burger was just amazing!!  Go try one.

 To end on a update note I am finding Weight Watchers and being veggie no problem. ( hopefully they fix the tracker on the ipad soon) I am learning a ton and I have lost 4 pounds so far.That is with very limited physical activity.I'd say that is pretty fabulous. I did buy myself a pre Christmas gift..The new Sporks Sisters cookbook.I will have to do ALOT of cooking with all my books and magazines.I will continue to share my advegture with you and take pictures of some of the outcomes. Happy holidays everyone.Take time to slow down and enjoy friends, family and the warmth of Christmas!!

Be gentle

   That's what I have to tell myself sometimes..be gentle.In my thoughts and words to myself.One of my resolutions this year was to go slower and give baby steps the respect they deserve.After doing Physio on my hip most of last year, I learned that the body makes remarkable progress with gentleness and kindness.I came from a place last year of not being able to make even simple movements with my hip joint.The progress I made was slow but it was made with gentle kind moves.That is a contradiction~ I think ~to the way we live our lives now.I know with mine.I want things to happen now!! I had been doing great with my journey up until two weeks ago when I started thinking this isn't enough."I want more weight loss,I should be able to give up cream in my coffee, I think I should run, I think that I am not doing enough."
  That's exhausting and self defeating.We are our own worst critics.I read in a blog that she gives her crazy critical voice in her head a persona.I thought that was a fantastic idea.A way of saying stop and shaking those pessimistic and unhelpful thoughts the boot.Mine is "The Hulk".Because some days it rears it's ugly head and I feel like a different person on the inside.So I will use this to turn off the behavior.Address that I am behaving like "The Hulk" and tone down my inner green.
 So yesterday after an exhausting night of not sleeping( pretty much the whole week).Josh has been sick.I just really thought "be Gentle".Yes I would love to run and get really busy on the weights to lose more weight.But my hip is screaming at me too slow down.It's time to listen.Stretching has helped immensely.So one of my favorite things to do is Yoga.But, I haven't been consistent.So last night the computer room got a clean up.I brought my mat upstairs and brought my DVDs out.I did a wonderful evening workout and my tension was better.I felt stronger and my hips thanked me for it.So I think it's time to listen to the small voice in my head going " slow down and enjoy the journey."I will get there but it's not, just magically going to happen.It requires faith in myself, consistency, and some thankfulness to this body of mine that gives me so much!!

The gorgeous Tara Stiles

   This is a quote from my vision board   "Your body is a gift, and you're fully responsible for it's upkeep.Instead of condemning it for what it isn't, try to accept it for what it is and reward it on a daily basis with proper food, exercise, and gratitude." Moreno

  On a lighter note I made Thai Coconut Soup last night.It was so delicious.It just put a smile on my face.I was proud and it just makes me laugh at how we limit ourselves because we "think" we can't make exotic foods.I am so over that. I have really noticed that ..this is going to sound strange...I just can't help myself ..that foods from different cultures smell alive.See told you.Seriously!! I think it's the fresh foods and just not being processed.This soup had the most amazing aroma..it had this zip of lime,the creaminess of the coconut milk and the punch from the Thia seasoning.I am even beginning to really like tofu.I know awesome!! It was from the lovely talented Colleen Patrick -Goudreau.Color me Vegan on page 229.This is one of her new ones.She is showing how to add and prepare all the colors of plant based cuisine to perk up your plate.Gorgeous book and am looking forward to trying more recipes.

Some of my favorite things

  Look out Oprah here I come!!!( If you could hear right now~ their would be evil laughter).So I promised in my previous post to share some fun and interesting finds from the past few weeks.

                         It was fast (but cooked a bit slower so the whole thing heats right through...see I'm learning) I liked the taste and I just had it with some rice.These meals are great in a pinch.

  Now these are dangerous.My sister said to try them.These are super delicious!!! I have to portion them or I could get carried away...okay I did get carried away.So next time I won't bring the whole bag with me.

  This was such a great pizza.The caramelized onion.Super good!!

  Basil..oh how I love thee!!! This little beauty has been in alot of recipes lately and I am in love!!!

 This was worth the $7.00 I paid.I would never have known that this was not dairy.It's tiny and mighty!!!

 Cinnamon-I have just added this to my shakes.I learned from hol-fit blog that 1 tsp of this beauty adds 1.4 grams of fibre and iron and calcium.(I KNOW-CRAZY!!) It's an amazing antioxidant and keeps the blood sugars under control.On hol-fit blog she also taught me the fire hydrant push up.Wow- it's effective.She has a great blog and lots of information.

I am going to end with -hopefully-attaching a YouTube presentation of Colleen Patrick-Goudrue making bacon tempeh.I thought it was great and I will be making that soon.

  So these are just a few things that I have recently added to my life.I have enjoyed them! I was really glad to find a ice cream replacement it was one of the few dairy product I was really missing.I am learning with so many blogs out there that people really want to share.So seek out the information and someone will let you know what they think or what their experience has been.
  
  In one week I have been eating darn close to Vegan for 3 months.So next week I am going to post my "How it's going so far".I am so excited!!

Eating veg is so beautiful and full of life!

  So what do I eat?

  Well I can show you today...I took some pictures.

   
So this is breakfast...does it look weird?That's because it's the ingredients for my morning shake, I put them on a plate for a picture this morning.Starting at the bottom- 1Tbsp of gorgeous ground flax seeds( I grind them in the coffee grinder every couple of days and store them in the freezer) 1 scoop of protein powder( Last payday I replaced my Whey Protein with Genuine Health Vegan proteins,pricey but I like it.I think it will last me a month.I have a shake every morning and John and Josh have them with me sometimes.)1/2 a banana(I am always able to freeze some as they start to turn.I like them a little sweeter when they go brown)1/2 a cup of spinach( I just started adding this and you don't even notice it-seriously!)the best fruit ever...frozen blueberries usually I do about 3/4 of a cup.All these ingredients go for a spin in the blender with water(the water goes over the ingredients).Super yummy and it keeps me filled up to lunch.

 And my leftover Red Lentil Stew for lunch from the other night.

   Then this was dinner...it was FANTASTIC!!! This was ANOTHER successful recipe from The Vegan Table by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.( I am SO getting her baking book )Her dish is the one on the right...Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with olives and toasted pine nuts-pg 135.This was excellent! The only thing I have to do differently is steam the broccoli rabe for less time.Prepping and cutting still takes me a bit longer.So it steamed a bit to long...but it was SO flavourful.
  My mushrooms were crying to be eating so I did 1 tsp of olive oil,chopped 1 shallot(I sauteed for about 3 minutes until they went clear..I have learned that this is a good saute look for them),about 10 mushrooms(sauteed with shallots for a further 5 minutes).I then added....2 tbsp of red wine(I was thinking of my friend Erin when I made these) and 1 clove of minced garlic and let that simmer until wine was reduced. I added a glass of wine to my dinner and oh my...so very delicious!!!

   My glasses and plates were filled with colour and life today.They were all filling and helped with cravings.So a 85% Vegan day.I had wine which I learned has animal by products in the finishing stages (thank you JL goes Vegan!!a red wine lover herself).So I will be searching for some great Vegan wines in our town.I am sure they are out there. I will share my wine findings when I am able to do some foot work.Without Josh- who thinks Liquor stores are Wine stores thanks to me and his Aunty Maura.That's my boy:)

My greatest struggle so far....Timmy's large dble dble's.I have them at work and they have cream.This is my main battle and I figure that is not to shabby.

So off to Morocco tonight..just a short trip!

  Well I experienced my first Moroccan "advegture" tonight.And darn it .....it was TASTY! So this recipe was from The Vegan Table by Colleen Patrick Goudreau.It is called Red Lentil Artichoke Stew on page 70.It was very flavourful,it had a hit of heat(crushed red pepper flakes) and the spices made it so exotic.I thought I would like this recipe because of the artichokes and it didn't disappoint.I put it over basmati rice and a glass of red wine.It will be lunch for a couple of days and I am looking forward to it tomorrow.

I went to Thailand last night!

 So last night I tried a new recipe.The boys wanted pizza (It smelled good but,I didn't miss it)So I ventured into unknown territory..Thai cooking.

   The recipe is from The Vegan Table by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.It's Pad Thai on page 26.It was easy to make.It did require a bit of prep work..like getting the sauce done,tofu fried,noodles softened,veggies cut and steamed.But, it was worth all the dishes I had to wash after.I have enough leftovers for lunch today and John took some to work.In all I would make this recipe again in a heartbeat.I even took a picture.