Last night I made a vegan dinner for my wonderful friends! I wanted to show my appreciation for them! What I Made For Them:
Soyrizo with Veggies ( garlic, onions, red & green bell peppers, zucchini and cooked with olive oil in the pan)
Results: THEY LOVED IT one of my friends, who was visiting here from the SF, wanted me to send her the recipe so she could make it herself! I'm glad they loved it! :D FOR DESSERT
The Nutbutter Buttercups! & a HUGE container of fruit! strawberries, blueberries, blackberries. Farmers Market fresh My roomie bought Soy Yogurt so we could make a parfait :)
It makes me happy to know they loved what I made them! A friend's boyfriend said it was better than store bought peanutbutter cups,
i loved the fact that they got so excited over the food and desserts i made them! Yee!
Here is a video from when I was chopping up the veggies. My roomate totally took pictures of me with these googles on. ha!
The reason for the Chemistry googles were for when I was chopping up the garlic and onions. Do not hate.
Do you even know what the reason of Thanksgiving is??
Do you know why we gather family and friends together and eat?
Yes, food is involved. Lots of it too.
And yes, back in the day Native Americans and Pilgrims sat together giving Thanks. And then the Pilgrims slaughtered the Native Americans. Thus generations later creating factory farms for butchering animals in this country Thus also extincting them. Awesome, right? You may think so. I probably have more of a heart though and sympathize with the Native Americans and Animals, especially the Turkeys for this season.
Oh yeah, "But i love the taste of Turkey!" Sharks and Bears feel the same way.
I've actually created a tradition with my family lately of having Un-Turkey Thanksgivings. And focusing on what we're really blessed with. I like to make food that comes from my genetic background. I'm creating Israeli-inspired food for this Thanksgiving. Because it comes from my culture. I'm proud of who I am.
I'll tell you what I'm blessed about:
I'm blessed with the life that I have. I'm blessed with the family I was born into. Especially the newer ones I've found out about within the last year or so. I'm blessed with the friends that are in my life. The old ones, the current ones, and the new ones. And with people I know as well in general, even if I don't know them too well. I'm blessed to have met them. I'm blessed with the opportunities i have been given. And now getting! I'm blessed with Jesus Christ in my life, for He who has kept me sane through my difficulties. I'm blessed with what I have. Who I am as a person.
I am so incredibly thankful <3
Here's a reality check. If you want to take action on saving lives, check out this link https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1644
Note: I know a lot of my friends, who read my posts, are not vegan. I love you as who you are as a person. And I'm blessed with knowing you in my life regardless.
This weekend I'm having a Thanksgiving dinner with my close friends here in Santa Barbara! Of course, knowing me, I'll be bringing non-meat, and non-dairy foodies! I'll keep you updated and take pictures!
And I swear. I did not anticipate on looking "gangsta" in this photograph. coincidently i was wearing a hoodie. Brazilnut Buttercups with Cacao/Carob Chocolate?
Tis true, my dear.
Ever since i've influenced my mother into eating healthier, she went out to get The Kind Diet book by Alicia Silverstone. She shared with me this Peanut Buttercup recipe
Ingredients! 1/2 cup Earth Balance butter 3/4 cup crunchy Nut Butter 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs or 10 graham cracker squares 1/4 cup maple syrup, raw agave nectar, stevia sugar, or lucuma powder 1 cup grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate, carob chips, and or cacao chips 1/4 cup Nut milk
Prep 1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. And set it aside. 2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. 3. Stir in the Nut butter, graham cracker crumbs, and maple sugar. Mix well. 4. Remove the mixture from the heat. Evenly divide the mixture, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup, among the muffin cups. 5. Combine the chocolate and milk in another pan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate has melted. 6. Spoon the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture. 7. Place in the freezer to set for at least 2 hours before serving
And since I've made my Nut Butter myself And again, the recipe here: http://ohsuzannemarie.blogspot.com/2010/11/nut-butter.html
As for the Chocolate, I found Cacao chips at random, and I also bought a bag of Carob chips. So I used both of them.
As for milk, I always soak nuts and goji berries, using the residue/water from soaking them and MimicCreme cream substitute:
These Nut Butter Cups have a great source of: -Calcium (Bones!) -Iron -Essential Fatty Acids -Magnesium (aids in body's absorption of Calcium!) -Phosphorus -Manganese -Beta Carotene (good for memory!) -Protein -Monounsaturated fats (good for the heart!) -Selenium -Flavonoids
Benefits Cholesterol Levels, Cardiovascular Self, Protects against Heart Disease, Cancer & Thyroid Problems Reversing Aging Effects Maintaining Memory Stimulates Immune System Energy booster
This is just the conbination of the Cashews, Brazilnuts, Goji Berries, Cacao, and Carob!
Note: because lots of us don't know about Essential Fatty Acids (also known as Omega 3) it contributes to brain function. Lots of people take Fish Oil for this, but Nuts are great source of these nutrients!
The Rawk and Roll Party at Erewhon! I'm the goofy blond in the background :)
Plussss
decided to make a video!
I barely ever make videos. I think i look awkward when I do them, but the more practice, the better I suppose! Maybe I should start back up again... well seee
Also, when I said Peanut butter, I really was speaking on Nut Butter. Saying Peanut Butter is a habit, not only me, but for most people! ha! Touché ;p
but this is the link from the post I made to make Nut Butter!
This morning I found a great article on having nuts in your daily diet. Basically, having high caloric/fatty nuts equal fat burning for the human body! So do not be afraid of Nuts! Nuts are good for you :)
The article! http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2010/11/12/munch-on-fatty-nuts-to-ditch-excess-body-fat/
7660-B Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2734
First of all, I have to admit. People who can do raw foods only are the most inspiring people to me! I love living foods because of how great it is for your body and how it makes you feel on the inside and out! And honestly, I think its tastier than most regular foods!
One thing about Raw Foods is that you are really creative with what you eat!
Plus! Its healthy for you! Well ..duh...lol
had to come down to LA to check out a Raw Sangha Rawk and Roll gathering at Erewhon!
I brought my only vegan friend from the area with me, we missed out on the juicing deal earlier that started at noon but came in just in time for raw desserts! (my favorite!!!)
First person we saw made a raw chocolate bar! it was so delicious!
next Brother Echo made his Love Bomb Bliss Balls. My imaginative vegan girl friend made humorous comments throughout the whole thing. that is why i love her :D
But i totally want to make them sometime! They were bomb-diggity blissfull!
I was also excited about the Grocery Market, Erewhon. I've heard good things about the place and there is only one grocery market like it! Its located on Beverly Blvd, next to CBS, at the bottom portion of an apartment complex!
Plus, the produce is 100% organic. Unlike most grocery stores! They had a health tonic bar that looked amazing. Next time I'm totally getting something to eat there!
While the Rawk and Roll party was going on, there were other samples being presented!
Here is a link on how you can make Love Bomb Bliss Balls yourself!
http://rawsangha.com/2010/11/10/raw-sangha-114-love-bomb-bliss-balls
What I loved, was when he was making the treats he said what ingredient was good for.
Like this ingredient is good for this, and this ingredient is good for that...
For example, I learned that turmeric is a good anti-depressant herb.!
Makes me more excited about learning about raw ingredients!
The next morning went out with family for breakfast at Magnolia Grill.
Had a large fruit bowl with a large Sunshine Salad without chicken
Wished I took a picture of it! My camera was being charged up!
For lunch I met up with my good friend, Will for pizza at Pizza Fusion!
Its always good to catch up with good friends!
We shared a large Farmers Market Pizza with Daiya Cheese!
It was his first time having Daiya cheese, and he couldn't tell the difference!
I love love love Pizza Fusion...ultimately...i love pizza itself! haha!
Pizza Fusion is the most organic eco-friendly pizza chain that i know of and love
I recently made a Tumblr for things that inspire me or share. If you want to check it out, you can!
http://ohsuzannemarie.tumblr.com/
these are pictures with two of my girl friends from Holloween this year ! :)
my plan for today is to clean my room and study!
tomorrow i'm heading to Los Angeles to check upon an event at a grocery market, Erewhon. I've heard great things upon that place so I definatly want to check it out! a speaker named Brother Echo is going to talk about raw food so i really am excited to check this thing out!
Another plan while I'm down there is to grab some pizza from Pizza Fusion! I love pizza <3
hope to meet more Vegans ! So if you're in the area def come!
You never know what is in nut butters these days in the grocery stores. Most of them have hydrogenagted oils, which isn't really great for our health. Plus a lot of those nut butters are spoiled butter freshed up with artificial smells to make it smell "nutty." Its not the best thing and usually alarming to know first finding out about what you are mixing in with your pb&j sandwich.
Read more information here: http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/PartiallyHydrogenatedOils.html
But Anyhow! Here is a great recipe to make Peanut Butter yourself! And its budget-friendly!
You can use any sort of nuts to your desire: Peanuts (even though is classified as a legume), Cashews, Almonds, Pecans, the list goes on! And you can even use seeds such as Sesame or Sunflower seeds
(expand your imagination! The list still goes on!)
What You Will Need is: -Nuts of your choice -Canola Oil -An Oven or Stove -A saved peanut butter jar -A Blender
Directions: Grab as much nuts as you want to roast
In an Oven: Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Use a cookie sheet and spread the nuts or seeds and put into the oven. If you're doing seeds, check in on them about 3 minutes, and for nuts, 5 minutes.
or
On the Stove: This process is faster if you're not the baking type! Butter up the pan (so it dosn't burn) and heat on stove, add in the nuts or seeds and stir until some brown is shown!
. Make sure they don't burn! But you are making sure that they brown for a rich and toasted flavor!
Then in the blender, add in Canola Oil (about 3 teaspoons, or as much as you want depending on consistancy) Throw in the Roasted Nuts And blend! If you want Creamy, add more canola oil If you want Crunchy, add more nuts
After you are done, pour in the resulted product into an old peanut butter jar that you've saved in your pantry
I really wanted to make my own hummus since I never know what is in hummus these days. I found a great recipe that intrigued me!
A Cucumber Hummus recipe!
Everyone knows how great Cucumber is for skin and eyes (just like how people put sliced cucumber on their eyes while getting a facial) but did you also know that it protects our inner organs just as much? Cucumber is 90% water which shows that it hydrates your body which then stimulates your skin to be much more clear. It is known that cucumber reduces swelling around the eyes! Its an all natural eye pad that does wonders after a long day of work!
Ingredients: 1 cup diced cucumber ( about 1/2 large cucumber, peeled) 1-2 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon flax seeds 15 ounces cooked chickpeas (or canned, drained and rinsed) 1 tablespoon tahini 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt (for taste)
Put the cucumber, water, garlic, and flax seed into a blender or food processor and blend on high speed until frothy. Add remaining ingredients, then blend on high until smooth. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate until chilled and slightly thicker.
Also I used this Hummus for my GPA Booster taco (from PETA Vegan College Cookbook!)
They say that Veggies are Brain Food.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Cucumber Hummus 1 (10 inch) flour tortilla 1/4 cup shredded lettuce or Spring Mix 1 tablespoon alfalfa sprouts 3-4 cherry tomatoes, halved Diced Cucumbers Salt and Pepper
Spread on the Cucumber Hummus on the tortilla, Put the rest of the ingredients onto wrap, roll like a burrito or taco And enjoy! Yum!
