Just a ...Nosh????

I seem to have a definite problem keeping up with this blog!  Today I think I've figured out why...

It all started out with wanting to share my trek thru the confusion of "becoming" vegan.  Somehow I let it get twisted into trying to be a vegan food blog.  NOT!  That just isn't me.  So I apologize.  Kinda like a country western song...I'm goin' back to my roots!

I think what really opened my eyes to the problem was my recent obsession.  I say obsession because becoming vegan has really become an obsession on some level.  I think that this is probably true for all of us as we begin the journey.  I could be wrong.  I don't think so.  I've lightened up on that basic level.  My new obsession has been looking into going the extra mile, or as Alicia Silverstone calls it...becoming a "super hero".

Dondi what the hell are you talking about????  I can hear you...I know that 's what your thinking.  I'm sure it's what my husband has been thinking the last few weeks!  I'm discovering what a treasure he really is lately.

I'm talking about going to a totally Macrobiotic Diet.  What is that??  I'm not even going to attempt to tell you!  I'm just going to say that I think it's the healthiest possible way to eat.  I have been researching and looking at recipes and trying to understand it.  More than once in my researching I came across excellent articles that all said the same thing.  Here are the basics but get with a counselor.  The recipes and food are fabulous!  It all makes perfect sense!  If you can figure it out.  If you can get someone else to come in and explain it all to you....and cook...and shop....and give you money so you can afford the shopping....or even figure out WHERE to shop.

Yes I really think it's the best possible way to eat...but I also came to the realization that for me...it's just too darn complicated.  I don't think it should be that way.  It's based on the traditional Okinawan diet.  But I don't live in Okinawa.  So while I think if you can figure it out and follow it it's wonderful and a plus, I've taken the liberty to just take what principles I can figure out and try to apply them to me and live the kindest way I can figure out to do.  Just like that.

  Sorry Alicia....and besides...have you looked at Madonna lately??? I mean, yeah, I want to lose weight...I am a chubby vegan...all those vegan nachos!  But Madonna and I are about the same age.....and...well..........yuck!

  I have not been eating for the Healthy soul lately and I've really been feeling it.  This morning I got up felt it was crucial for me to get back to the basics.  I did not feel very creative or much like cooking.  It's a long awaited day off and I truly just wanted to laze around today. As a result I made an impromptu "power soup" that was really quite good!  I neglected to take a photo but I will say it looked pretty and was very satisfying, recipe included!

Quick and Easy Bowl of Corn Chowder SuperFood!

1 med. potatoe, cooked till soft in microwave and then diced and broken up.  With Skin
aprx. 1/2 c. of frozen corn, cooked in microwave.
2 lrg. T. diced tomatoes w/green chilies, cnd.
1/8 C. cnd, asparagus tips.
4 oz can v-8
Place corn and asparagus in food processor and pulse till chunky smooth.

Place potato in a med. saucepan, Add corn mixture, tomatoes, and v-8.  Heat till hot, season with some sea salt  and coarse black pepper to taste.

So after this I lazed around in my pj's most of the day, occassional bouts of house cleaning, until I could not stand it anymore and I showered and got dressed..Shameful I know!

By this time I was getting a bit hungry again.

Again I wanted simple and quick.

What was in the fridge but some leftover corn tortillas and some promising ingredients for vegan tostada's.  The result was worthy of the omni hubby having some and declaring them quite good!

                                                                         

I was completely and utterly disgusted with my local area when it came time for my Thanksgiving meal.  Oh yes, I managed the delicious mashed potatoes.  I enjoyed the savory collard greens.  I feasted on warm, soft dinner rolls, the corn was perfect!  But do you think I could find a tofurky or Field Holiday roast anywhere in the area without making an hour and a half trip to Columbus to hit up Whole Foods!??  NO!! So yes I settled for apricot glazed chikn' scallopini  using the wonderful Gardein products available to me.  But I'm not waiting around for Christmas...It's off to Columbus I go...how utterly ridiculas!!!

Happy Holidays!  

Holiday Wellington

I wanted to take the opportunity today to give some recognition to a new site/app that I signed up for.  It's WWW.loseit.com   I am one of those women that is always on a diet but never seems to reach the goal.  I have been on this site for about a week and a half and I love it.  I've lost a few lbs. as well so that doesn't hurt any.  I've made some new diet buddies that encourage me and help keep me going.  Thanks all!

So I promised to post my recipe for a Holiday Wellington that I made last year.  To be honest this recipe is a slight adaptation to one I found on a blogger site, but I cannot seem to find it again, so if you recognize it as yours please comment so I can give you proper credit.


Holiday Wellington (vegan)

Puff pastry  (I use Pepperidge Farms)

1 large sweet potato
2 pkgs. of seitan
mushrooms, I used baby Bella's but any firm variety works
1 large sweet onion
sm. bunch kale, spinach works too but use fresh.
zest of 1 orange
sea salt and coarse black pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to recommended temp. on puff pastry package.
Unroll the puff pastry.  I cut one sheet to connect to the other so it makes a nice rectangle or even square.
Be sure to unroll it on a large cooking sheet to avoid complications later!
In a large non- stick skillet you want to saute each one of the ingredients separately to what ever level of doneness you like them.  I prefer doing the seitan right after the mushrooms with a bit of water so that the flavor of the mushrooms seasons the seitan a bit.  This is where I add a a bit of the black pepper as well.  Other than that I cleaned the pan between each ingredient.  The idea is to not overly blend the flavor of the ingredients so that you have a nice distinction once they are rolled up together in the Wellington.  Once the ingredeients for the filling are ready simply layer across the puff pastry. Don't make the layers overly thick. Just nice and even. Sprinkle the orange zest across the top of the fillings before rolling up. Don't get too close to the edges as the filling will spread out as you roll it. Now it does tend to be a bit heavy with the ingredients as you roll it.  I found that a spatula under the middle section as I rolled helped.
Bake it seam side down.  The original recipe didn't tell me how long to bake it but I just baked it until it was a really deep, even golden brown.  It didn't take that long, about 1/2 hr I believe.

Better late than never!

So I promised the photos for the "big" dinner for the hubby the other night.  You may remember I had big plans for a huge meal to begin the transformation of my omni hubby to vegan.  I had finally gotten to see the documentary Forks Over Knives and found myself completely re-motivated to get my high blood pressure honey on my brain wave.

When honey first came home and realized how much food I was cooking the first thing he said was, "too much!"  So we trimmed down the menu and came up with a very satisfying Pasta and Pan Seared Veggies with steamed asparagus on the side.  For me that was plenty.  For the Onmi hubby there was the addition of fish.  Now to say I wasn't disappointed that he still wanted the fish would be a lie, BUT, he did agree to a certain degree of vegetarian.He said he would give that much a go but that at this time he still wanted eggs, dairy and yes, fish. I decided to take what I can get and said you got it baby!  LOL  I already have him switched to Earth Balance margarine, and he doesn't know it yet but as much as possible he will be partaking of daiya cheeses and suitable cheese substitutes.

Breakfast is a good place to start as well.  I have him completely hooked on steel cut oatmeal.  We've been having that on a regular basis and to say that I don't embrace that would be an understatement.  Hubby had an angina attack about 2 months ago.  Now he's cut back considerably on his coffee consumption, and I've gotten his fried foods way reduced.  Oatmeal.... cholesterol....see where I'm going with this?  lol

So for the Pasta and Pan Seared Veggie's.  Such and easy and versatile dish.   I make a habit of cooking up big pots of whole wheat pasta, brown rice etc. once a week.  Stash them in the fridge for fast easy meals all week long.  So here's the recipe.

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA & PAN SEARED VEGGIES

 I spray a skillet with non-stick cooking spray and let it get hot.  To that I add a variety of my fave veggies for grilling.  My favorite standby's are zucchini, yellow squash, green onion sliced long, portabella mushrooms.  I stir fry the vegetables until they are almost to the desired doneness....which is pretty much your preference. I like mine to be slightly browned but not cooked to mushy.  Then I add some minced garlic and stir fry just a bit longer.  Then I add a big spoonful of canned diced tomatoes with a liberal dollop of the juice thrown in.  I season with some sea salt and lemon pepper.  I also like a bit of crushed red pepper...it's up to you!  Before the tomato juice can be steamed away I throw in a big bunch of the pre-cooked pasta stir till its hot and then remove from heat.  Throw it on a plate and enjoy!  We paired that with some fresh asparagus steamed for 6 mins. and sprinkled slightly with sea salt.  Add a really good crusty bread and WOW!  It's whats for supper!

Thought I would add a photo of the steel cut oatmeal with raw sugar and diced apple.  Delicious, sticks to your ribs and oh so satisfying!

My Journey Begins Today

I had promised to deliver the results of my homemade tofu antipasto....which due to circumstances beyond my control did not get created.  But it will....just not until next weekends shopping excursion takes place.  


This weekend I have had the fortunate opportunity to finally watch the fabulous documentary, "Forks Over Knives".  I knew that I would really love this documentary but I was , to put it simply, flabbergasted!!


There are so many things I could tell you that went through my mind.  So many things that I vowed to change, not only for myself but for my family.  Today IS the day.  


Where are you going with this Dondi, you may ask.  Quite simply I will be bullying my husband into adopting a vegan lifestyle.  He doesn't know it yet, I will certainly keep you posted on my efforts....but I will succeed!


Now for today's menu:.


We well be having a nice salad with every salad ingredient I can come up with thrown in.  Some raw, some grilled.
Simple corn, slightly sweetened with raw sugar, no butter. 
Steamed asparagus.
Whole grain pasta served with sauteed zucchini, caramelized onions and crushed red pepper.
Some spicy pepperocini


This is a thrown together at the last minute meal.  I am determined to fill up my omni husband and begin to sway him to the light.  Keep your fingers crossed people....and wish me loads of luck!


And oh yes....I will post pictures of dinner later this evening!

Abject frustration

I must face the fact that this blog I'm dreaming of developing is never going to amount to much if I don't break down and get a proper internet in the house besides my mobile! I will try to do better for the time being but please forgive if my postings continue to be sporadic. Much love, Dondi

Gumbo!

So yesterday was a beautiful day here in Ohio. The hubby and I took the dogs for a nice walk and were just generally lazy. And on a move in the right direction. The non-vegan honey has expressed to me he really prefers earth balance margarine,  and he has been requesting some of my vegan meals for the family! Wow! I'm so psyched over that! Lol

As for today I threw together some leftover brown rice, the hodgepodge of frozen veggies ( including okra) some vegan sausage and out came this delicious gumbo!  Mmmmmm!

Dondi

Epiphany? Hmmm

I've recently realized that while I THOUGHT I was a vegan I am actually NOT!  I am in reality a transitioning vegan. How did I come to this crazy,(yet true!), conclusion?  I have constantly been researching the subject and came to realize that being vegan is more than what I eat. Its what I live as well. I'd already made up my mind to begin buying eco- animal friendly from now on, but I just realized that I also need to replace certain items in my wardrobe.  Now I'll admit I haven't the funds to just throw everything away, but the leather jacket has to go, as do the boots. Say la' vie! Or so be it.
I've had some moments of how can I do this OMG! The vegan action site did help me immensely so I highly recommend it.
Overall what I'm coming to realize and want to share is that becoming vegan is an ongoing always learning process. As is life...
Dondi

Sauted Baby Bella's w/sweet onions and sun dried tomatoes.

Simplicity at it's finest. As the name implies its simply sliced baby Bella's,  sweet onions and diced sun dried tomatoes. Sauted in a little olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and crushed red pepper.  Served over whole wheat pasta. Elegant!

How lunch SHOULD be done! After consuming a massive portion of my favorite lunch,( marinated kale salad w/ brown rice) I'm feeling quite stuffed! This apparently brings out my need to share. I have been vegetarian off and on for about 2 1/2 yrs.  And vegan for about 6 months. A month ago I started following Dr. McDougall s nutrition plan. Let me say he is a genius! I have lost about 12 lbs. My skin is wow! Energy is wow! The problem is I'm getting bored.  I had this problem when I first went veg. So! For a bit I know I'll be more Dr.M oriented but I'm going to be experimenting until I can make it a complete lifestyle change:-)  I WILL be sharing!  I'm also working on being more active. I HATE exercising so you'll be joining me in this challenge as well! Wish us luck!

Recipe for oh so delish Marinated Kale Salad

So once again I've been away from it for a bit.  No internet at home makes this much more difficult than I thought.  Hopefully that will be remedied soon! 

So I posted a pic of the Kale Salad and it truly is to die for!  The hubby complains when I make it because I don't leave enough for him!  LOL...anyway...here is the easy recipe.

Marinated Kale Salad

I use two large bunches of fresh Kale, destemmed (mostly) and coarsely chopped
couple cans of vegetable broth or stock
garlic cloves, minced, about 2 t. or to taste.
lemon pepper seasoning, about 1 t. or to taste
sea salt to taste
about 1 T. crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
half a lime
assorted raw veggies, sliced for sauteing or grilling  I use sweet onions and red/yellow peppers, sometimes zucchini and yellow squash as well

Simply start with the bottom of a large soup pot covered with about an inch of veggie broth.  Bring it to a boil and add the kale.  Stir immediately and keep stirring frequently until it begins to wilt.  Add all the rest of the ingredients except the half a lime and raw veggies.  Allow to simmer, stirring frequently, for about 15 min. tops.  Squeeze the half a lime over the whole thing. Add more veg. broth if needed.  I like some juice on it.  I then season to taste with some sea salt. Remove from heat and set aside.

Now heat up a skillet, add some more veg broth to cover bottom of pan, when it's bubbling add your raw veggies and cook to desired doneness.  Again I just season this with some sea salt to taste. 

To serve simply put a bit bunch of the Kale in a bowl, add sauted veggies to the top and EAT, EAT, EAT!

You can also serve this over some brown rice if you'd like...so yummy and filling!

Marinated Kale salad.

This was so good I almost cried!  Recipe later.

Super Easy Vegan Veggie Mac and Cheez

I was elated when I was finally able to have one of my favorites again with this cheez sauce I adapted from the Vegan Rocker girls nacho cheeze recipe.  Not only did I love it, but the family had at it as well. So here goes the recipe!!

Super Easy Vegan Veggie Mac and Cheez

One box of fav. whole wheat pasta, I used rotiini
1/2 c. nutritional yeast flakes
1/2c. flour
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. sea salt
1 c. soy milk
2 T. Earth Balance marg.
1 bag fav. frozen veggie blend. I used broccoli, cauliflower, carrot for this one. Microwaved according to bag directions.

Cook pasta according to directions and set aside in cold water and then drain.
Meanwhile....add the rest of ingred. except marg. and veggies and soymilk, to a saucepan over med. high heat.  Slowly, while stirring, add soymilk, until mixture gets bubbly and thickens.  If it thickens too much you can add small bits of soymilk to thin.  Remove from heat, add marg. and stir till melted. Add cooked veggies to sauce, then blend in drained pasta, place back over low heat until pasta is warmed.

Enjoy!

Vegan veggie Mac and cheez

What more can I say? Recipe later.

Breakfast : quick, easy, delicious!

So on those almost always days when it's run,run, run I often eat nothing or fill the space with junk! This is my favorite fast and easy yet healthy breakfast.

Just a wrap with Dijon noyonaise.
Whole wheat tortilla.
Tofurky slices.
Sliced gourmet cucumbers and tomatoes on the side.
Followed up with a yummy green goodness smoothie.

I'm lovin ' it!

Super yummy nachos! (Cheesy)

So I got the original recipe for this yummy nacho cheese sauce from the vegan rocker girls site. Just a few adjustments for personal taste and wow!
1/4c. Nutritional yeast
1/4 c. Flour
  Teasp. Sea salt
Teasp. Garlic powder
1 crushed red cayenne pepper
1 c. Water
2 T. Earth balance
1 squeeze from half a lime
1/2 c. Fire roasted tomatoes w/ peppers.  (Canned )

Put yeast, flour, salt, and garlic powder in sauce pan. Slowly add water while stirring over Med. Heat until bubbly. Remove from heat. Add marg till melted, then add tomatoes and lime juice. 
I used fire roasted vegetable corn chips.  Oh so delish!

The hubby and I

This is a test

Rethinking it...

To date my website here seems to be a bust.  Without internet at home I cannot post because I cannot get it to work on my mobile.  It will post but seems to always be in hypertext....can't figure that out!  grrr.

Anyway I don't want to give up on it and so here I am!

As a fairly new Vegan I am constantly trying to get more and more "everyday dishes" that are quick, easy and NOT the same old thing.  I have to say I appreciate more than words can say the other Vegan pages here on Blogger that I have been shamelessly taking recipes from!  I have every intention of trying out the Vegan Rocker Girls nacho cheese sauce tomorrow!  I have found these delicious organic blue corn chips that I love with salsa and feel pretty confident it will be a good match.

I don't have much more than that to post today as I want to spend some time trying ONCE AGAIN to get the mobile working so I can post more often, and yes, even send pictures to my blog!  HOWEVER....I did make a delicious Vegan potatoe and veggie soup this week that was to die for.  So here it is:

Bag of Medditeranian Veggie blend  (frozen foods)
Bag of cube style frozen hash browns
Frozen corn
12 oz. can of diced tomatoes / grn chilies
Chili powder to taste
Boca burger crumbles

Throw it a large soup pot...add enough water to cover and cook till the veggies are done...sooo good!
 Hope you enjoy it.  Quite hearty and keeps the cold away...especially since it seems as if Ohio has decided to never allow summer to appear!  LOL  take care all!

Dratted technology

I haven't been able to to keep up on here the way I would like....thought I'd be able to post via my phone but I can't seem to get the hang of it yet...I shall not give up!  lol

Any way, wanted to say that my new determined lifestyle is going well, and I feel so much better these days.  Lots  more energy and a much better sense of self.  Getting more into yoga as well and being kinder to my world is my focus.

Today's recipe... roasted veggie pizza....super simple!

I found that the pillsbury pizza crust is a safe bet so pretty much I rolled it out on a cookie sheet coated with olive oil cooking spray.

I sliced a thin layer of roma tomatoes and spread over the crust, followed by sweet onion, peppers, mushrooms  garlic and pineapple!  Seasoned it all with an italian blend seasoning and baked according to crust instructions.   Sooooo good!!  and best of all it makes healthy sized servings at only 4 weight watcher points each!!  yessss!  Sweet vegan gluttony!

Hubby is still being uber supportive of my lifestyle choice and often tries "my" food.  I made a fantastic enchilada casserole the other day of which I got one serving and the boys ate every bite!  It was delicious!!

I'll add that one next time and include a picture too! 

I know this is a short one but I'm determined to add more often. 

Best to you all from Ohio!