First thing’s first, my girl Nicole wrote up a super sweet award post about some very awesome bloggers out there. I was so happy and honored that she actually put me in the rankings! I definitely told my mom about it when I talked to her later that night. It really means a lot to me and like I said, Nicole I am so glad that we are friends. Big hugs to you!

This past Tuesday I ran some quick errands and I made a quick stop at Mrs. Marshall’s Carytown Cafe for their famous potato salad! The owner of the cafe, Frances Daniel, appeared on Bobby Flay’s throwdown not too long ago! The woman told me that it was a complete surprise to her. I guess the people on the show don’t disclose it to you until you’ve arrived; Frances thought she would just be a part of the regular audience.

Squirting on some of their secret recipe I presume.

Incredible! I don't know what's in it, but it's got a hint of creamy sweetness, and it may be better than my old babysitter's recipe from when I lived in Germany.

Have you hugged a carb today?

Ohh I busted out a special plate!

One side has the rotkohl I cooked with apples and raisins as well, and in the potato salad I mixed in a Tofurky kielbasa sausage. I told you guys I would! I actually read their serving suggestions and I got 2 out 4 covered in one meal. Hmm.. let’s see how else I ate the Tofurky kielbasa.

Sandwich form

Cranberry raisin swirl bread just seemed right for this sandwich. Inside is the Tofurky kielbasa, romaine, onion, relish, mustard, and horseradish hummus. M’mm good.

Oops it's a little dark!

I also incorporated the Tofurky kielbasa into a wrap! In this one I spread on some roasted red-pepper hummus, red onion, relish, romaine, the “kielbasa”, and some dried cranberries. It’s bothering me that I’m forgetting something else I put in there! Bottom point – this was also delish! Any suggestions on which Tofurky product I should try next, since they generously sent me some freebie coupons so I could do a review. By the way, I really recommend trying these sausages out! They’re so much heartier and flavorful than any other “veggiedog” I’ve tried.

Anyway, the other day I went to the bookstore and I was copying down recipes from this one book. Then I realized I was copying down so many of them. That’s about the time I decided that I just needed to buy the book!

"The Accidental Vegetarian" by Simon Rimmer

The cover reminded me of something I made a very long time ago with Haloumi cheese.

I remember there being a tagline on the packaging, "the cheese that doesn't melt, but grills"

Soon this table set-up will be making its appearance on my blog again in T-minus 5 days! I told my mom about all the interesting and super creative recipes this cookbook has; she made sure to tell me to bring it down to Florida when I visit. Actually, it was more of an order. I think someone’s a little excited about my cooking, don’t you think?

It has recipes like Sweet Potato and Pineapple Sandwich.

You should look up his recipes on www.bbc.co.uk. Simon Rimmer has a restaurant in Manchester; so if I’m ever in the area… I am – no questions asked – going! And I’m bringing my book too so he can sign it.

“The Accidental Vegetarian will kill the Jentil and sandal Image of vegetarianism forever!”

Later that day I had my friend Emily over for dinner before we went to the capoeira class. The class doesn’t start till 9 pm so we had plenty of time. We couldn’t decide on what to make, then I started thinking about what ingredients I had on hand. While I was walking Matilda I checked on my iPhone if there were any recipes that had the combination of pumpkin and red lentils. Indeed there was! So we decided on a vegan pumpkin and lentil curry recipe.

Almost all the ingredients.

Chopped cinnamon bark for the rice.

Tada! That knife looks so ominous!

Stir it girl!

Matilda thought she could be sneaky...

Pumpkin & lentil curry garnished with toasted almonds and served with cinnamon brown rice.

We talked about scary encounters we’ve had. I always love hearing people’s personal experiences with things of that nature. Sometimes it’ll make my eyes watery because I get kind of scared, but I love it! Ohhh the stories I could share! Maybe one day I’ll tell one of mine. That would be a fun idea actually… when Halloween gets nearer. I’ll make it worthwhile don’t worry! Speaking of Halloween, does anyone have any costume suggestions? I was thinking I’d be the Goblin King from Labyrinth. Last year I was “everyone you’ve ever known,” but people thought I was the princess from The Neverending Story.

I made the little headpiece in the back out of mirror shards (ouch?), and I randomly found the petticoat in a vintage/thrift store.

I remember as I was making the headpiece and breaking the little mirrors I kept thinking, “I’m going to have such bad luck now.”

On another note, my roommate has this thing shes does that she calls “putting it out into the universe.” Whatever she wants she just says it out loud. I think that act of getting it out of your head and saying those words brings you one step closer to making it a reality. So what am I going to put out into the universe? “I will book my flight to Europe before the month of October ends.” What do you want to put out into the universe?

XOXO

-Gossip Girl

(couldn’t resist!)