Some Last Moments

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Katharina

Hello everyone! It seems you all are excited about the giveaway. I am too! The giveaway ends June 19th so if you haven’t entered remember to check it out right over here: “Must Have Been Something I Ate” by Peggy K Giveaway! Oh, and remember that recap I mentioned earlier? Well, it’s about time I share it before it becomes archival.

: I invited some of my closest friends to one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond.

It was one of my friend’s first time eating Indian food so I knew I had to take her to my favorite Indian restaurant ever. They have this incredible buffet that is constantly changing daily. If you’re trying Indian food I’d say going to a buffet is the way to go because there are so many different flavors that it’s hard to simplify and describe when someone asks “what does it taste like?”

: We went on a Monday night so we could enjoy their dinner buffet + UNLIMITED MANGO LASSI!

They were my favorite before the unlimited mango lassi, but now that they have this deal… they are definitely at the top of my list! My friends and I got refills, and sometimes it’d take awhile because they were making another batch in the kitchen. Fresh mango lassi of course.

: M’mm I love Indian food.

Sadly, they didn’t have my absolute favorite dish out on the buffet spread, but the owner told me that if I call beforehand and tell them what I want they can make it and add it to the buffet. My favorite dish is their paneer pasanda which is “fresh homemade cheese cubes cooked in a creamy mango sauce with almonds and raisins.” Not what you usually find on an Indian restaurant’s menu, and that’s one of the things I love about this place. Great food, great service, and so many unique dishes. We all left with happy bellies, and surprisingly we didn’t feel like giant beach balls that could just roll away.

: Things at my place were more simple–almond butter and apricot jam on sourdough.

I had found this interesting recipe on CHOW’s website. That’s where I usually find interesting ideas for things like grilled cheese sandwiches.

: Dinner to go!

I roasted a Japanese sweet potato, and sautéed it with beets, spinach, and a splash of balsamic. Then I topped it with a cannellini bean puree and goat’s cheese.

: We made sure to see each other before I left Richmond, but we’ll be seeing each other again. I know it!

Who knows where!

: My other dear friend wanted to take me out to lunch to “a place I’ll miss”

Hmm.. I had already gone to India K’raja and Cafe Gutenberg, but then I remembered one of my other favorite places! I usually come to Balliceaux to hang out or for dinner. It was interesting to go there for lunch, but I knew they’d still have their great and seasonally-changing menu.

: Contemplating what to order.

: First, we got the mezze platter as an appetizer.

: It came with edamame hummus, tabbouleh, marinated market vegetables, chickpea salad, and grilled pita.

Everything was deliciously fresh and flavorful! The marinated market vegetables were jicama, green beans, and something else I can’t remember. The tabbouleh was the best I ever had and very unique. The edamame was alive with flavor, and the chickpea salad… gosh I just want to remake it all! All together with warm grilled pita bread–yum!

: I ordered the heirloom veggie burger made with beans, seeds, and grains, served with tomato and garlic mayo.

I also got a side of greens aka super spicy vegan southern style collard greens. There was something in those spicy greens that just made me want more despite the runny nose.

: My friend got the falafel flat bread wrap: roasted eggplant, lettuce, tomato, garlicky tahini, pickled onion and carrot.

He was so thoughtful to get the roasted eggplant on the side since I’m allergic. We ended up splitting our meals in half so we could each try the deliciousness!

: At the end of our meal I was sad to say bye bye to Balliceaux.

: Later that day I went to a potluck, which was Indian themed and someone brought mango lassi!

: My last week in Richmond also involved packing of course.

: Which resulted in a stuffed minivan rental!

: Passing through Georgia we stopped to pick up some peaches.

These peaches are so juicy that you can eat them over the glass and have peach juice leftover~

: We also stopped at a gas station and it happened to have this place called Fresh.

They gave us a sample of their avocado dream smoothie: avocado, banana, coconut cream soymilk, and yogurt. I was honestly surprised that there was a menu like this at a gas station. Usually stopping at a gas station means it’s potty break time and nothing else. But this time it also meant “get some dinner time”.

: And it was tasty!

: I got their Apple Harvest Chick’n Salad, which used Gardein.

The salad was very ‘meh’, but better than dipping cold toast into a tub of hummus. I also realized that albeit this is a salad, the volume kept me fuller longer. I don’t know why but my stomach is hard to satisfy on road trips. It’s definitely not out of boredom either because my stomach starts growling. Anyone else get super hungry on car trips?

: When I got back from my long road trip I went to the kitchen and discovered a new flavor combination.

In fact, I had it for breakfast the very next day! The delicious and satisfying combination is mission figs, fresh blueberries, and peanut butter. You’ve got the density and sweetness from the fig, tart blueberries, and slightly salt and very nutty peanut butter.

Ah it feels good to be back in Florida. I miss my friends up in Richmond, and after years of living there… well my life was up there. But I’ve been the kind of person who’s been to a lot of different places and I don’t feel like I’m tied down by “what I’m use to”. Because I can get use to anything! Except for things like violence, rudeness, constant stress, and negative things like that. And the true friends that I make will always be a part of my life in some way or another. I believe that me and my friends are connected by our souls and not by our location. There are many things on my plate right now, and that part is making my head spin a little. I just need to talk about my plans outside of my head more so that I can get some insight and clarity on what I want.

And once again don’t forget to enter my “Must Have Been Something I Ate” by Peggy K Giveaway!

Warm Days Ahead

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Katharina

There is so much to catch up on, but I think I know where I want to start for this post. Hmm… let’s see what part shall I rewind back to next? Aha!

In December I ended up going to Florida at the last minute!

My lovely mother really spoiled me this time. I think I barely cooked while I was there, which is unusual!

Have any of you tried cranberry beans?

It was my first time trying them, and I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the the shells were.

My mom's special recipe for the cranberry beans and eggplant, and I roasted some kabocha with brown sugar, spices, and coconut oil.

I’m going to share her recipe with you. First she sautés some chopped onions and garlic. Then add diced tomatoes and sauté for a bit. Add some bay leaves, the beans, sea salt, and pepper. Then cook it all in almond milk until the beans are thoroughly cooked. Lastly, garnish with cilantro!

We also spoiled ourselves with various chocolates!

I also finished up a jar of almond butter while I was down there.

And finishing up a jar translates to OIAJ.

I like to make the oatmeal in a pot and spoon it into the jar little by little while stirring so the nut butter is distributed evenly throughout–not just at the bottom.

And I finished another jar--this one being the cashew-macadamia nut butter I made for my mom last Christmas.

She obviously doesn’t use nut butters as much as I do! I don’t think it would take me a year to finish a jar.

Oh, look! And I found some of the royal crown jewels!

This cous cous dish was a team effort between me and my mom.

The cous cous was cooked in vegetable broth and ghee giving it so much more flavor. Seriously, ghee is a staple in my kitchen. When that was done cooking we threw in some chopped red onions, garlic, carrots, tomatoes, and other random veggies. Stir in some lemon juice, olive oil, spices (curry, cumin, and paprika), and salt to taste. Before you’re all done you can add some diced avocado and cilantro for that last touch of flavor. Cous cous is such a versatile grain to work with. You can make it sweet or savory. Cook it in juices, milks, or broths. Mix in whatever you’d like and voilà! A tasty dish.

While I was in Florida I was in the mood for colorful salads.

In Virginia I’m usually in the mood for soups. I know that’s usually weather related though. Anyhow, this salad was incredibly tasty! I tossed sweet potatoes, apples, brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and onions in a mix of coconut oil, honey, and cinnamon. Then I roasted them till they were done, and tossed them over a bed of Tuscan kale, letting the kale wilt from the warmth of the other veggies and fruits. To seal the deal I topped it off with pomegranate arils, and the beans my mother had made bandeja paisa style (cooked with plantains) and vegetarian friendly!

I also made a few dishes with fava beans--roasting them was my favorite!

Egyptian style!

I made Ful Medames, a traditional breakfast in Egypt. Actually, fava beans are eaten at all times of the day over there, and it’s said that even the pharaohs enjoyed these beans.

I was also in the mood for spiced mashed sweet potatoes with coconut milk while I was down there.

Christmas entailed high raw vegan goodies!

My step-dad loves peanut butter and raw vegan treats, so this seemed like a great gift for him!

I took Ani Phyo’s oatmeal raisin cookie recipe to another level by adding peanut butter. The idea for adding the nut butter came from Laury’s adapted recipe for no-bake oatmeal cookies. Here’s the recipe for the cookies I made for my step-dad!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookes (High Raw Vegan)

1 cup raw or old-fashioned oats

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates

1/2 cup raisins

2 Tbl Creamy peanut butter (creamy is better for binding)

1. Process the oats and cinnamon in a food processor into small pieces.

2. Add dates and process till it’s mixed well. Throw in the raisins and pulse.

3. Place in a bowl and mix the peanut butter in with the batter.

4. Now roll them into balls and enjoy!

Easy, right?

We were invited to dinner on Christmas Eve!

They had us over for Christmas dinner last year too.

The delicious feast made completely out of scratch!

The chef!

I brought over this dish: pan-fried chickpea, sweet yellow onion, and pomegranate salad.

Remember “The Flexitarian Cookbook” I mentioned in a previous post? Well, this was another delicious recipe from that cookbook! Everyone at the dinner loved it, and the lovely host even asked me to share the recipe. Now that says something, doesn’t it?

Natural beauty

I’ll be dedicating a full post to “The Flexitarian Cookbook” featuring more recipes, and a review!

On Christmas morning my mom was greeted by some flowers that are just as refreshing as she is.

My step-dad was greeted by something he could thoroughly enjoy (and hopefully share, please)!

And I was greeted with a special sweater!

It makes me think of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.

My step-dad had the same idea!

He made me raw vegan treats with figs, dates, walnuts, and gingerbread spices–very yummy!

Matilda guarded the tree.

My mom had picked this up at the health food store... interesting!

When I saw this it seemed familiar, and that’s because Katie once featured their pasta made out of black beans.

Makes one look forward to dinner.

I served the mung bean fettucine with a semi-homemade tomato sauce and parmesan.

This was actually yummy and had an interesting texture! I was very much pleasantly surprised.

And I ended my Florida "tour" with a bang!

We love you, World!

Don’t forget to participate in my giveaway, in case you haven’t already or you missed it! Click here to check it out. You have until Tuesday to participate, so my fingers are crossed for you!

Betty Who?

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Katharina

Betty Lou’s!

Sampler Package

Awhile ago I got the opportunity to sample a variety of Betty Lou’s snacks. I’m sure some of you have seen some their all-natural snacks at your local grocery store. I can tell you as a college student, pre-packaged snacks are a must for me. I have time to make meals, but what I eat in between is usually something I don’t whip up in the kitchen. Moreover, I usually opt for foods that will keep my energy levels up and going. Which is where these snacks come in the picture.

If you go to their site and see what they have available, you’ll notice they cater to plenty of specialty-diets (wheat corn and dairy-free, no cholesterol, organic, vegan, etc.). On top of that they’ve got a wide array of snacks to choose from. Another interesting thing to note: nothing is made with refined sugar; Perhaps why energy levels don’t crash. I guarantee you’ll find something that’ll spark your interest.

Krispy Bites

First thought? It resembled a Rice Krispy bar, but it’s gluten-free and vegan. Wow! I could taste the peanut butter right off the bat. As a peanut butter lover there are no complaints here. This was an unexpected surprise. Then I read the ingredients and saw that peanut butter was on the list. I actually did a double take at how short the list was. I also love how flavor is bold and delicious and definitely lingers – just makes the goodness last longer once you’re done enjoying this little treat. I just wish it were a bit bigger.

Cranberry Crave Chewy Granola Cookie

Hippy Happy Apple Granola Bar

Aside from the awesome packaging, the whiff I got upon opening the wrapper was so comforting – I think it comes from the maple sugar. I knew I was in for a treat. You could eat this on it’s own, but I can also imagine it would be great crumbled on some yogurt. The cranberry’s tartness helped keep this bar from verging on too sweet. It really did taste like I was eating some kind of dessert. The apple one didn’t have too strong of an apple flavor, just a hint of it. It tasted good nonetheless, and it was bit chewier than the other one. And to make everyone happy, both are vegan!

Jumbo Apricot Fruit Bar

Crumbled over some yogurt, almonds, and tropical fruits.

This reminded me a of a fig Newton. I could tell there were real chunks of apricot in there as well because it was very chewy, moist, and dense. This bar is also quite tart.

Jumbo Blueberry Fruit Bar

This bar wasn’t too sweet or tart, but it tasted like I was biting into a blueberry slice of deliciousness. I loved how it wasn’t super gooey even after I heated it up.

Spirulina Ginseng Nut Butter Ball

After taking a bite.

Almond Nut Butter Ball

Cashew Pecan Nut Butter Ball

Don’t be thrown off by the green color of the Spirulina Ginseng Nut Butter Ball. This was good but I don’t know what to compare it to as far as flavors go. Oh! And those are bits of almonds coating it. I love how the nut butter ball has bits of almonds around it the delicious glob of almond butter. It’s not messy at all, and if you like almonds, then this is for you. It’s like those candies you get that have goodness on the inside and out! This is how bursts of energy come – wabam! I enjoyed the Cashew Pecan one while I was at the airport waiting for my flight. I absolutely love the texture of these Nut Butter Balls! I think these are the most common Betty Lou’s products I’ve seen in stores. You should check out the other flavors like Coconut Macadamia! There’s even a high-protein Almond Butter Ball!

Organic Almond Patty

Just showing off some yummy snacks!

This was one delicious chocolate almond butter patty! Need I say more?

I’d like to thank the people at Betty Lou’s for sending me such a great sampler package. I thoroughly enjoyed tasting my way through all the snacks, and I wish I could share the goodness with you all. I guess giving my opinion is the best I can do for right now. So next time you’re out and you see one of many Betty Lou’s snacks – try one!

We Eat What We Like

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Katharina

Remember that from the Apple Jacks commercials? Anyway, I will start off this post the same way I start off my days

: Some green tea!

And another one of my favorite beverages

: A refreshingly thick vanilla, banana, and peanut butter smoothie.

: Oh my, I was a little hesitant to try this simply because of the unappetizing color.

In this smoothie is a packet of Amazing Grass Chocolate Meal Shake with a frozen banana and some vanilla. It actually wasn’t too shabby. I definitely could taste the greenness of it, but the banana helped balance it out.

: Lots of ground flaxseed!

In the background you can see a little bag of Hazelnut Sweet Chips from Kay’s Naturals. These were so yummy! I mixed some in with my yogurt and blueberry puddle. I also enjoyed these with another treat that I’ll be sharing with you in another post. I also tried something new with my yogurt. The people at NuNaturals sent me some items to sample and review. Thanks guys!

: Stevia baking blend, vanilla stevia extract, and plain stevia.

I put a few drops of the vanilla stevia in my yogurt. It was a nice addition to my blueberries, and just the right amount of sweetness. There was no weird aftertaste either. Stevia is such an interesting sweetener. I went to a garden once and I picked off a stevia leaf and I could taste the familiar sweetness. My roommates parents actually have a stevia plant, but we’re not sure how to use that. Does anyone else know?

Okay, I’m not quite sure where to start with my eats… so let me just randomly choose! I hope you’re in the mood for something Mexican.

: Some mini soft tacos + pepper jack with a side of red cabbage + coconut oil + applesauce.

I wish I could eat cabbage raw without suffering the gaseous consequences. I would probably make so many different kinds of slaws.

Now let’s move on to some buns!

: Zucchini with white beans and garlic.

: Snobby joes with cauliflower, corn, and avocado on the side.

: I baked a loaf of Irish soda bread for my roommate.

In my old place when I first moved in, I would bake this bread and it was fun because I could shape it however I pleased. However, I just didn’t feel like baking it anymore. I think it might’ve been because I felt in some weird way… unappreciated. The only person who really showed any appreciation was Kim, and I thought it would seem strange to bake a loaf for only us two when three other people were living in the house. But I promised Kim that once we moved to the new place I would bake her loaf since she loved it.

: A cold bowl of Chinese sweet red bean soup with tapioca pearls and almonds.

I tried my leftovers with toasted coconut, and I loved it! These red beans are so small and adorable!

: A new cereal to try!

Have you guys heard of Erewhon? They’re a part of U.S. Mills (which has so many breakfast grains to choose from). This is the Strawberry Crisp cereal, and for anyone with gluten allergies this is a gluten-free cereal. Usually, I don’t eat cereal because it’s not very filling but sometimes I just want something refreshing. The only thing I have to say about this cereal is that it could be a tad bit sweeter. I am surprised at how many dried strawberries actually come in the box. I find that most cereal with dried fruits shouldn’t even claim to have them! If you like cornflakes, then I think you will enjoy this. I know that I’m enjoying my box!

: Cinnamon Raisin instant oatmeal with soymilk!

I’ve also tried another U.S. Mills product from Uncle Sam. Instant oatmeal is perfect for a college student, and anyone else with a busy lifestyle. But when was the last time you guys saw one with soymilk? That’s right! This was so delicious! They also have a French Vanilla flavor. Yum! Moreover, I got to enjoy this in a most delicious jar of almond butter with crumbled graham crackers.

And what’s the fruit concoction to the right?

: Strawberry-Kiwi Salad with Basil

It doesn’t look too pretty, but don’t judge a book by its cover! I followed this recipe, but I didn’t have white balsamic vinegar on hand. I’m sure it made a difference, definitely in color!

I’ve also noticed a lot of you guys putting pretzels in your wonderful oat creations. I wish I had thought of that before I finished my Kay’s Naturals sample!

: The last of my Kay’s Naturals goodies – and boy was this good!

This is turning into a breakfast post!

: Yogurt with kiwi and strawberries and some ground flaxseed.

I also toasted some cinnamon raisin swirl bread. That slice on the left is topped with… Cacoa Bliss! I had graciously gotten these adorable samples of Artisana nut butters from Tristan awhile ago . I finally busted into some of them. Let me just say now that this is just as amazing as everyone has been exclaiming!

: Army of deliciousness.

So far I’ve tried Cacao Bliss, Cashew Butter, Pecan Butter, and the Macadamia Butter. I really don’t think words can do these nut butters justice. You just have to try them! I’m so grateful to the people who sent me this generous package. Thank you for introducing me to something new and taking me on another food adventure. I think my mom would love the Macadamia Butter since they are her favorite nut.

: The mothership!

Let’s see… what other breakfast goodness to I have to share?

: These had a Manager’s Special price tag on them!

: I just added corn and served them with apple sauce and sour cream.

No one makes latkes better than my dad though. I’ve even tried sweet potato latkes at a restaurant once, but my dad takes the potato on these!

Okay so I’ll show you guys something that’ll help you digest!

: When I went to the James River the other day.

: My friend Clinton sitting on a big rock.

And now for my crazy dog lady picture from when my friend, Sway, visited.

: She’s so freaking cute!

: A close encounter with another kind.

Special Alert!

If any of you are interested in winning samples of the Crofter’s spreads, they do giveaways regularly on Facebook and Twitter.

Twitter: Croftersorganic
Facebook: Crofter’s Organic

p.s. Last post featured an array of yummy creations thanks to Sullivan Street Bakery. I found an article on them that I thought you all might enjoy!

Super Bowl Party Sandwiches

p.s.s. Gorgeous Justine had the brilliant idea of a giveaway. Well, right now I’ve got something in the works. I’m really excited about it because I’ve never hosted a giveaway before, and what’s more wonderful than sharing?

Get To the Good Part Already!

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Katharina

So guys I know I said I would post Part 3 today. But I’m going to be like those evil soap operas and leave you hanging. Don’t worry though, I will do it tomorrow. Not! Just kidding. Anyway, this is what I’ve been doing in the kitchen lately.

I figured out that pepper jack cheese and apple butter taste awesome together.

Can I get a what what?

But I didn't forget about my beloved grilled mango chutney and cheddar cheese sandwich.

Eggplant, avocado, tomato sauce, topped with Katie's vegan alfredo sauce.

I used the last of Katie’s sauce I made. This is not a farewell, just… see you later! Definitely a keeper.

And now presenting a real kitchen experiment! As most of you know, Katie is hosting a pancake making bonanza! She’s encouraging all of us to get creative and dream up some delicious pancake recipes. Well, I decided to make Vegan Pound Cake Pancakes. Lots of cake, huh? Now I was looking at a ton of versions of pancake and pound cake recipes. I was trying to figure out what ingredients I could use to stick true to both recipes, as they have different consistencies. I don’t think this is really rocket science, but I wanted to get it right. I’m telling you, this was so much fun! My dad was over in the office and I was exclaiming to him everything I was doing. “Dad! It’s actually working!” Oops, I forgot to tell him what I was up to. Who knows what he was thinking. Anyway, the key ingredient in these babies was tofu! So here goes…

Pound cake pancakes on the griddle.

Pound cake pancakes à enfourner.

And what do we get?

They came out, but they were too perfect looking I thought.

I like them better like this!

So I put the oven pancakes on the griddle and they puffed up!

I cut up some fruits to go with our pancakes... FOR DINNER!

My parents did not mind one bit having breakfast for dinner. We enjoyed this possibly as much as the lovely Lauren.

My experiment being served!

Naked!!!

I'm digging the outfit!

My pancakes decided to wear a cashew cream top borrowed from Monica, accessorized with cinnamon, and a last minute decision… maple syrup!

So what made these pancakes kind of like pound cakes?

Moist on the inside. Does this count as food porn?

You better believe I licked my plate clean.

You can check my recipe page for this yummy treat! I had some pancakes leftover for breakfast today.

Voila!

This morning I was reminiscing of Germany and how I ate my pancakes there. I usually would put applesauce on mine (instead of apple slices), just how I eat my latkes. But today I cut up an apple, spread some coconut oil on the pancake, and sprinkled the whole shebang with cinnamon and powdered sugar. This was, to put it lightly, absolutely wonderful. On the other pancake I used up the rest of the cashew cream with a pit of cherry marmalade and amaretto syrup. I also had a bowl of yogurt with sliced strawberries, Zoe’s Cinnamon Raisin granola, and a small blob of cashew cream. The only complaint I have about the granola is that it should have more raisins. Fortunately, I have a huge container of raisins so my problem was resolved.

In the words of Fat Bastard, "get in muh belly!"

So fresh and so clean clean!

Now on to some other things I’ve stumbled upon in the blogging world that I tried this past week.

Banana soft serve topped with almond butter, duh!

Uh, Gena, you need to compile your own cookbook! You’ve got a real knack for recipes.

Despite having a crapload of bars to try already, I went ahead and made this purchase.

I’ve seen these Honest bars on Kath’s blog, and they always sounded so yummy. This one was small, but mighty in flavor! I smeared coconut oil on it because I apparently like putting it on everything. I love the subtle flavor it gives things. I guess what coconut oil is to me is like almond butter to others.

Last but not least…

Young coconut!

After a fun, intense dance class I had my dad help me open this coconut. My dad is so use to busting things open I was like, “no no just cut in a square at the top.” He managed to cut it open with such grace. Thanks dad! Luckily, I found my squiggly straw to suck down this delicious and thirst-quenching water. I had to replenish myself for the Harry Potter movie!!!

Stay still you guys!

I guess that's kind of better?

Waiting ever so patiently...

Must. Stay. Awake.

I was so hyper while we were outside waiting in line. Then when the movie started… I did the unimaginable and fell asleep. I always do that! Eventually I woke up and pretended that didn’t happen. I can’t say that I can give a fair review of the movie because I was asleep for part of it. But from what I did see, I think the other movies are better. Atleast I’ve always got my books!

I hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday. It’s the time of week when you can say, “almost there.” Almost!

So tomorrow’s post will include Part 3 as promised, and another special surprise. Ooo I can’t wait!

Like Driving down Old Seven Mile Bridge

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Katharina

I have so many shout-outs to make in this post! So let me begin by saying a big hello to our favorite chocolate-covered vegan, Katie. I was looking for recipes to use up some of the carrot pulp leftover from my dad’s juicing extravaganza:

Dad is busy juicing. To all of you that like to buy your brews at Trader Joe's try out Lindemans Belgian Framboise beer with raspberries.

What to do? What to do?

I finally found the perfect recipe! I made a variation of her 24-Carrot Gold Muffins. Instead of muffins, I just made bread. “Same great flavor, just different look.”

Look at all those carrot fibers!

I of course had this as part of my delicious breakfast this morning, but I’ll save that for the next post!

Now moving right along. This next recipe I tried came from another beloved vegan, Gena! After reading all the rave reviews for her Italian “raw cheese”, I knew I had to give it a try. I finally got my hands on some raw cashews.

Enter the infinite abyss of goodness.

The first step involved getting the cashews to the right consistency. Now I know where the cheesy flavor comes from! So what’d I decide to make?

A new take on pizza! Polenta rounds and...

... topped with tomato sauce.

Excuse my super cheesy smile. My mom got really into taking pictures of me, and I was just ready to try this! I also quickly sliced some zucchini and cooked it in a Sherry Red Wine Barbeque sauce.

Mom and Dad couldn't wait either!

We thought Mom's poses were funny!

Oh my! Gena, this recipe was to die for. I’m definitely going to be making this more often. If you haven’t tried it, you should! It’s incredibly easy to make. At the end of the meal I asked my parents how they enjoyed their gluten-free and vegan meal. I follow neither a vegan or gluten-free lifestyle, but I think it’s always interesting to try new things – although I am a vegetarian. Luckily, my parents are very open-minded as well when it comes to food. But in the end we all agree that taste is key! And this meal was one that I wished could’ve lasted forever. Not only was it delicious, but we were all in a good, light-hearted mood. The right way to end a Sunday.

Remember how I asked you guys which nut butter you guys recommended? Well, thanks Jenny for sharing this link with us, I think I’m going to go with a jar of 365 peanut butter. The other day I went to the local discount healthfood store. As I was making my way down the nut butter aisle to see what they had, I stumbled upon a fairly priced jar of almond butter. I’ve missed my almond butter so much. Surprise, surprise, it was a jar of Blue Diamond! Kailey, I tried this as soon as I got home, and I understand why you love it so much! My mom asked me what it was. How to answer her… to share or not to share? I shared, and she answered. One word came from her mouth. “YUM!!!”

I also found another product at the store that I’ve seen on VeggieGirl’s blog.

Living Harvest Hempmilk

I don’t think I could drink a cup of this alone. But like I said before, don’t knock it till you try it. It’s a shame because it’s super nutritious and sounds interesting. So what am I going to do with the rest of this carton? I’m using it to add to my smoothies, as most of the flavor comes from the fruits I add in and not really the “milk” I use – unless it’s coconut milk! Oh! At this discount healthfood store I discovered that they sell boxes of Kashi Go-Lean cereal for – get this - $1.67! I’m definitely stocking up before I head back up to Richmond.

Yesterday, I decided to sign up for one more class for the next semester. So these are the classes I’m going to be taking:

Readings in Literature

Taoism

Intermediate Sculpture

Basic Video

Introduction to World Cinema (This is a Saturday class but I heard the teacher is awesome, oh and incredibly good looking!)

Zoe Foods product reviews

: The motherload!

: Thanks so much Kim! Your generosity is overwhelming.

: Uh oh! I sense the only child syndrome surfacing.

So far I’ve tried a few things from my big box of goodies!

: I tried the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss bar.

Alongside I had a bowl of Bircher Muesli soaked in fig yogurt, topped with fruits and pecans. The bar is so yummy! I wish I took a picture of what it looked like. I could see the little crispy grains and it wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet. I definitely didn’t want to leave my tummy feeling sour before my yoga class. The balance between peanut butter and chocolate was pulled off successfully with this bar! Moreover, they’re also full of protein, fiber, and contain Omega-3′s! I gave a bite for my mom to try as well and she very much enjoyed it. She’s not a picky eater, but I can vouch for her that these are indeed yummy! I’ve never seen them in stores though, so that might be an issue, but Zoe Foods does have an online store. Here’s a link to the following retailers that do carry their bars.

However, there is a product of theirs that I do see in stores often.

Next up is Zoe's Granola!

I’ve been looking forward to trying out their granola for a long time! So I made it extra special by making a red wine reduction for some beautiful peach slices. Which granola do I try first? Cranberries Currants, Honey Almond, or Cinnamon Raisin? Decisions decisions. I opted for Honey Almond over some fresh yogurt! Okay, I admit that I knew what I would be getting myself into even before my first bite. I’m happy to report that my intuition failed me not! I loved this breakfast so much.

Lastly, I tried the Chocolate Delight bar.

However, I am not the biggest fan of chocolate on chocolate. It didn’t taste horrible, just not my cup of tea. I gave it to my parents since I would hate for food to go to waste. Luckily, my parents enjoyed this one! I think you have to really like chocolate to want this bar. So for all you super chocolate lovers, you might just find a new addition to indulge your little tastebuds.

I still have more Zoe Foods products to review, so keep an eye out!

Okay, so I think most have you noticed my inner-artist jump out of me and on to my plates! I am a person who’s very much into living an aesthetically pleasing life. Maybe I should go into design? Well I’m majoring in sculpture + extended media already, so I guess I am designing things. I’m a sucker for packaging i.e. L’Occitane. My favorite store is Anthropologie not only because of what they sell, but every time I go in there I feel like I’m being transfered into another world. I even pour my shampoos, spices, whatever I can think of – into glass containers I find at thrift stores. Oh man, do I take this too far? Well, I guess not as long as I’m enjoying it, right? Right!

So anyway, this brings me to my love of colors and vibrancy. I think nature offers all of that and I love to reap what this wonderful world sows. Which brings me to some more lovely eats based on nature, color, and simplicity.

: There’s something so satisfying about having a nice cup of loose tea.

: A nice way to start the day.

A bowl of coffee oats with bananas, coconut shreds, a gooseberry, and some white chocolate chips.

: What’s inside?

: No, not an alien egg! It’s lychee.

: Drumroll please

: A gooseberry! I’m starting to feel like a magician with cheap tricks.

A nice glass of some juice my dad made with a scoop of Edy's Tart Honey yogurt blend.: I love that a papaya can act as it’s own bowl.

: Fig yogurt topped with papaya chunks, blueberries, and granola.

: Toast with goat cheese, dried tomato bits, and avocado.

So I’m going to go against all these pictures of fresh food. But it definitely goes with the theme of good tasting food! Someone not too long brought to my attention that you can order chalupas and gorditas at Taco Bell with beans. That means, all these years I haven’t been eating them are now gone. I don’t get cravings for Taco Bell, but when I’m on a road trip, it makes life a lot easier. So on the drive down to Florida I knew what I wanted for dinner. I had my parents find a Taco Bell, and ordered myself a Baja Vegetarian Gordita and it was so yummy! It didn’t fill me up at all, but I had packed other things that helped do the trick. Just wanted to pass the word along to anyone else who did not know this.

Whew! This post was hard work to organize. But I love sharing with you guys, and I love what I learn from all of you. Everyone is different, but I can still see the inspiration we all get from each other’s wonderful eats.

p.s. If you haven’t tried Edy’s tart honey yogurt blend, I highly suggest it! I can’t wait to try out other flavors. I’m thinking I might have a slice of carrot bread and a some Edy’s before I go to bed.

Katharina's Food Adventures

Tag Archives: almond butter