Monday, March 23, 2015

Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies



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I made these breakfast cookies for my kids as a reward for eating so healthy lately.They are really enjoying eating Vegan because it means lots of fresh fruits, their favorite. My daughter is a huge fan of blueberries and bananas. these cookies were inspired by her. I wanted her to have a nice warm breakfast today. We fight with cereals, grits and oatmeal lately. What I want them to eat and what they want to eat rarely aligns. Everyone with kids understands this struggle.

This is my "tricked you into eating a low sugar, healthy breakfast anyways" Cookies. I can always get them to eat cookies. Who says you can't eat cookies for breakfast? I make them Vegan ice cream for breakfast, so cookies shouldn't be a surprise. These were super easy, chewy and bursting with blueberries.  What a wonderful & healthy way to start their morning, with a cookie.


Breakfast Cookies:

4 ripe bananas
1 cup peanut butter
1 Tbsp chai seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
2 tsp. ground flax seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
4 cups Quaker oats
1 cup fresh blueberries (if they are not in season, you can use 1/2 cup dried blueberries or cranberries)

Preheat oven to 350.

In a microwave safe bowl, heat peanut butter for about 30 seconds, until softened.

Chop up bananas and add to peanut butter.

Mash bananas into peanut butter until smooth.

Add chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, ground flax seeds, cinnamon and oats to peanut butter. Mix well.

Gently fold in the blueberries.

Shape cookies about 2" across & 1/4" thick.

 Place on parchment paper and bake 12- 15 minutes until browned.

Makes a dozen cookies.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Mediterranean Hummus Pizza



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I love pizza and I love hummus, why not combine the two for a protein packed lunch? This recipe was so good, I wish I had doubled it. My family definitely approved this easy lunch, so I will be making it again soon.

It's really easy and on the table in less than 30 minutes for a hungry family. Can't beat that in a Vegan meal. I will add some pinenuts next time because we really like them, but that's about the only thing I would do differently. Hope you enjoy & think of all kinds of possibilities using hummus pizza.


Mediterranean Hummus Pizza :
4 whole wheat pita
1 purple onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small zucchini, chopped
1/4 cup chopped olives
2 (10 oz.) hummus (I used roasted red pepper, but any flavor is fine)
2 cups chopped spinach
1 (14 oz) artichokes, drained
1 Tbsp capers
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
olive oil
1 cup Vegan mozzarella cheese
1/8 cup unsweetened plant milk
Chopped parsley and pepperoncini peppers to serve.

Preheat oven to 400.

Sautee onions, peppers, & zucchini in oil with Italian seasoning over medium heat until tender. Set aside.

Spread hummus on pizza crust like you would a pizza sauce. 

Top with fresh spinach, sauteed veggies, olives, artichokes, & capers.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt Daiya with milk. Stir to combine. 

Drizzle pizzas with mozzarella cheese sauce.

Cook 20 minutes.

Slice and garnish with chopped parsley and a peppercini pepper before serving.


Saturday, March 14, 2015

Sriracha Black Bean Burger


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My husband just asked for a Veggie Burger, but we were out of the premade, frozen, ones in the freezer. It looks like it's time I make my first veggie burger as a Vegan. I have to admit, this was a little intimidating. I had never even read a recipe for veggie burgers, because the frozen ones were so convenient. Time to search the pantry and refrigerator for ideas.

I have black beans, oats, some random veggies, nutritional yeast, avocados, & my husbands favorite ingredient, sriracha. Let the games begin! I just started by slicing my veggies, smashing my beans, tasting, adjusting and experimenting. A few beers later, we had a black bean burger that was so much better than the frozen ones I had been living off lately!!

Looking for more Vegan recipes? Try my  Cuban Black Bean & Plantain Bowl,  Kale Stuffed Eggplant Parm,  Chipolte Mac-N-Cheeze with Smokey Lentils,  Vegan Cabbage Rolls,  Creamy Jackfruit Casserole & Vegan Philly & Cheeze
Sriracha Black Bean Burgers:

1/2 cup of corn
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced red pepper
1/2 cup finely diced poblano pepper
2 cups spinach, finely chopped
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Paprika
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 (15 oz) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed.
2 Tbsp. ground Flax seed
2-3 Tbsp sriracha
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 cup Quaker oats
6 burger buns
Avocado, vegan cheese, Sriracha or your other favorite toppings  (optional)

METHOD :

Sautée corn, pobalano pepper, onion, red pepper, & spinach, over medium high heat until slightly charred.

Add cumin, paprika, garlic, & soy sauce and cook for an additional minute.

Remove from heat.

In a mixing bowl, smash black beans until smooth.

Add  cooked veggies, nutritional yeast, oats, flax seed, salt and pepper to black beans and mix well.

Form black bean mixture into patties.

To prepare: ( 2 methods)

1. Fried 

Place patties on a plate lined with wax paper. Freeze for 30 minutes.

Fry burgers in a little oil over medium heat until a crispy crust forms, about 10 minutes on each side.

2. To bake

Preheat over to 425.

Place burgers on a non stick baking sheet.

Bake about 30 minutes, turning once around 20 mins ( top with cheese at this point, if you are using it).


Makes 6 -8 burgers. 



Sunday, March 8, 2015

Coco Chanel


This is a story about how a dog can really change the direction and quality of your own life when you least expect it. This is a picture of my beautiful girl, Coco Chanel. Coco was not always a happy girl. She was neglected and abused in her former life. My cousin's boyfriend found her thrown in a dumpster at a construction site and brought her home. My cousin could not have a dog where she lived. She decided to take her to my Grandma's house (where my kids were visiting) until she could find her a home. By the time I arrived to pick them up, they were in love. We reluctantly agreed to take her home until we could find her a good home. We didn't want an animal to complicate our lives. Little did I know she would become the thing that uncomplicated my life.

We all fell in love with Coco after just a few days. It was clear we would be keeping her, so we gave her a beautiful name to make her feel special. Coco Chanel was always a name I associated with glamour, so I choose it for this little "mutt" dog with the crooked teeth and squinty eyes - why not? She was a sweet girl and always wanted to be right under me every step I took. This was probably because she was afraid we would abandon her like her former owners. She quickly became "my dog" and crawled into my lap every chance she would get to snuggle. She was totally spoiled and happy & I was learning to love a dog for the first time.

Not long after we got Coco, she became deathly ill. She had contracted Parvo because (of course) her previous owner didn't get her proper shots. I felt like it was my fault she was going to die. I should have thought to take her to a vet to get checked out when we took her home. I did the only thing I could do for her that night. I wrapped her in a baby blanket and held her close to me until I could get her to the vet in the morning. Once we got to the vet, they treated her with fluids and told us she probably wouldn't survive the night. I sat on the couch for 2 days after that appointment, holding her waiting for her to die and the suffering to end. I couldn't stand the thought of her dying alone, so I never left her. We worked hard trying to keep her alive. My husband gave her droppers fulls of chicken broth to try to help her get some strength back so she could fight for her life. I think she knew she was dying. She seemed comforted by the blanket and being held in my arms. She needed me there and she was grateful. People say "it's just a dog" who have never had that moment when they look into their dog's eyes and see into their soul. I had that moment when she was dying and she trusted me to be there. I didn't let her down and I will never regret it. Those were two very scary days, but she did recover. It took a while for her to even be able to get off the couch because she was so weak, but she made a full recovery and she now has all her shots up to date.

Things were great for a few years and Coco was your typical lap dog. She went everywhere with our family. My daughter made her homemade organic dog treats and we bought her lots of clothes ( she loves clothes). Unfortunately, those times would not last. Both me and my husband lost our jobs without warning. We worked for the same company and that company was making cuts. Since we were subcontractors, we were left without unemployment benefits and with 4 children and a dog to raise. Giving Coco away like some people do when they fall on hard times, wasn't an option. She had found her forever home.We tried to find jobs, but it wasn't easy in a small town. We were evicted from our home a few months later. We decided to try to move to the city where jobs were plentiful. Coco came with us as we set out into the unknown without anything, except Faith and plan. It would now be Coco's opportunity to return the favor from when she almost died. 

We would spend the next couple of months living in hotel rooms, family's extra bedroom, wherever we could stay together and survive until we could get out of our situation. Coco and my family was all I had left of "normal". She kept me company when times were hard. She snuggled up close to me when I would cry at night and would listen to the things I didn't want anyone to know I was feeling - because a mom always holds it together. She was my friend when I needed one most. She even learned a few new tricks. Some nights we stayed where she wasn't allowed. I would bring her inside and  tell her she would have to stay quite if she wanted to stay. She would just lay beside me quietly all night. If anyone would come around, she would hide under the pillows and lay perfectly still and silent. I had not taught her any of these things, she was just that in tune with us. Some times she wouldn't be allowed in a house where we stayed. She would have to stay out in a fence at some places. She would always break out, but never run away. Instead, she would come to the front door and bark. She was checking on me because she knew I needed her during this struggle.Coco believed she was my protector and she wanted to play her role to the best of her ability, even if she had to keep breaking out and "saving" me.

When we finally got back on our feet, we started looking for a home to put our family back together. It took a while to find a home because we wouldn't go anywhere without Coco. On Christmas Eve of 2013, we moved into our new home with a big fenced in back yard for Coco to explore and a nice fireplace for her to lay next to and stay warm. She is still by my side all the time. She sits with me at night while everyone sleeps ( I work late nights as a bartender). She watches General Hospital with me and I tell her about my day. She understands, I have no doubt. She is not "just a dog", she is my "fur baby" and she will always have a place right here on my lap as long as she is alive.

What does this story have to do with my Vegan journey? I went vegetarian during all that struggle. I was tired of struggling with my health and my conscious. It was the times I cried and no one but Coco knew that I was broken, that made me realize that all animals have a soul. They all feel and react to love, sadness, joy just like we do. What separates my Coco from a cow or a pig? It is a fact that cows and pigs cry when their young are taken from them shortly after birth. They feel a bond to their children just like we do and it's heartbreaking for them. They are sentiment animals. They are different from us, but that doesn't mean we should treat them any differently. If this story was about my pet pig or chicken, would it had meant the same?  I think the answer is "yes". All life is precious. All things deserve to live their best life. Life is a gift. Life means just as much to a cat or dog as it does to a pig or goat. The way Coco has loved me unconditionally has changed my life and thought process. This journey began with her influence.

I am glad she has shown me the value of animal life. My transition to vegan has come from knowledge. The more I learned about the deplorable treatment of animals, the more I can't imagine living my life any other way. How do some animals get to sit on our laps and be petted while others are tortured and slaughtered? That thought alone has moved me down this path. Dogs like Coco in China are killed for their meat & leather. (Why does it become appalling when it's a dog instead of a cow?)  If you own a leather product from China, it may very well be dog, not cow leather. They are beat to death in open rooms where they can see death coming and then dipped in boiling oil to remove their fur - some times they are still living when this happens. You can watch any number of documentaries on Netflix about this subject, so I will stop before I sound too preachy. I'm not here to beat anyone up, just share my experience.

I have seen how beautiful an animal's life can be and what a blessing they are to us humans. This is why I choose to live my life Vegan - it's all outta love. I have said this before. Love for my body, love for the animals, & love for the planet. I made my choice because I felt it was the only one that made sense for me. I hope will help everyone to understand why I am here writing this Blog , heart on my sleeve style. Helping others to see that vegan food is beautiful and easy to make is just my little part in helping this world be a better place. It's that important to me and to the animals, like my beautiful Coco. Once you change your focus to LIFE, you will start to truly LIVE.


Saturday, March 7, 2015

Buffalo Tempeh over Cheeze Grits



Living in the South, I knew replacing my favorite "soul foods" would be a priority in my transitioning from Vegetarian to Vegan. You can't expect a Southern girl to give up her biscuits and cheese grits! I had to figure out a way to enjoy my Southern classics Vegan style.

One meal my husband used to adore was "Shrimp and Grits". This is a southern classic with fried,  spicy shrimp served over cheesy grits with sausage. Southerners are very picky about this dish. it ranks up there with a proper sweet tea, biscuit and mac -n- cheese. This is, obviously, not Shrimp and grits. I could have bought vegan shrimp, but my husband would have (at this point, anyways) totally rejected the idea of vegan shrimp. I would never get him to try something so similar to the dish he loves using a "fake" protein. I had to take that inspiration and make a new Vegan classic dish up for my family.

First, I had this meal for brunch and I smiled all day long. This is "Vegan Soul Food!" It made me warm, sleepy and happy...all the things a good Southern meal will do to you afterwards. I just made the Biscuits to show off my Southern Girl skills. I knew we needed them if I was going to make a real southern meal! The only thing missing from this meal was my Banana Pudding Pie , Vegan fried Green Tomatoes , NC Style Pulled Jackfruit Sandwhiches , Vegan Chick'n (jackfruit) Casserole and a big glass of overly sweet iced tea in a mason jar. Hope you get the feeling of the south with this meal.



Crispy Buffalo Tempeh over Vegan Cheese Grits:

1 package of Tempeh, sliced into 1/4" strips
Olive oil 
Buffalo sauce of your choice
2 cups of freshly cooked Grits (cooked according to package)
2 Tbsp Earth Balance Vegan butter
1/4 cup Vegan cheddar style shreds
1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes
1 tsp Chia Seeds


Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add tempeh strips and cook until golden brown on both sides. Place strips on a paper towel to drain any extra oil. 

Add butter, cheese, nutritional yeast and chia seeds to your freshly cooked grits and stir to incorporate. ( You can add more butter and cheese to taste)

Toss tempeh in buffalo sauce to coat. Place tempeh on top of grits and serve.


Vegan "Cheddar Bay Biscuits"     



2 1/4 cups Bisquick ( Yes it's Vegan!!)
2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup Vegan cheddar style shreds 
Earth Balance Vegan butter

Preheat oven to 450.

Stir Bisquick, milk, garlic powder, and cheese together until a soft dough forms.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead 10 times.

Roll dough out 1/2" thick and cut with 2 1/2" cutter ( should make about 8 biscuits)

Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake 8- 10 mins, until golden brown.

Brush tops of biscuits with butter and serve.


I will probably add a little crumbled vegan sausage to my grits next time I try it, just for that "shrimp and grits" feel, but this definitely made my day. A southern Style classic made in under 30 mins and good enough for any Southern table. Let me know how you like the recipe. 




Friday, March 6, 2015

The Journey Begins



The Journey Begins

Welcome to my journey as a Vegan!! You have to know where I started, to understand where I'm headed. Let me share a little bit about myself... I grew up watching my Grandparents cook traditional, southern "soul food". There was always good smells coming from the kitchen and lots of adventures to be had on their farm. As is the tradition here in NC, all our veggies were cooked in ham, macaroni and cheese was a food group, chicken was fired or coated in Duke's mayo, biscuits were served with every meal, gravy topped everything, a meal wasn't complete without a slice of cake or pie and an ice cold Cheerwine or Extra Sweet Tea to wash it all down. Food was a big part of all family events. My cousin made the best chicken casserole with sour cream added to the sauce and buttery cracker topping. My Grandmother made the best chicken in dumplings with collard greens cooked in fat back (pork). My mom made the best pound cake. Huge Potluck meals where everyone cooked their best deserts and casseroles where also a big deal at church. Everything here revolved around "soul food". This is life in the South. When I had my 4 kids, we continued these traditions.

These traditions probably lead to all the issues I would face as an adult. I developed gestational diabetes with my pregnancies. It cleared up each time after I delivered. I wouldn't think twice about it once my babies arrived. It was a warning that I was ignoring and wouldn't be my only health problem. I found out when I was 21 that I had a heart arrhythmia. My heart rate was so fast, I couldn't exercise or even walk up a flight of steps without getting winded. I struggled with my last 2 pregnancies because of my heart. I needed medication and a cardiologist supervising my heart via portable heart monitor 24 hrs a day. I was on a medication that dropped my blood pressure so low, I could hardly stay conscious. After the babies arrived, I would go back to my same habits. I just accepted that this was how my life was going to be lived. I would be tired and worry about my heart quietly.That's what moms do, right?

About 2.5 years ago, I went vegetarian after discovering Yoga.Yoga was something I COULD do for my health. I felt STRONG for the first time in years. It was addicting! I was excited to wake up each morning just to do my Yoga. I knew my heart was healing & it was like I was given a new life. I was officially cleared by my cardiologist a little over a year ago. He said " Whatever you are doing has worked!" I had healed myself and I refuse to ever be sick again!

If being vegetarian and doing Yoga did all this for me, why would I change? It's simple. The more I educated myself, the more I was convinced that going Vegan was the best decision I could make for my life. My journey lead me to Veganism because I am a huge animal lover. Going Vegan was good for my soul. I look into my dog's eyes or other living creatures eyes, and I see a soul. I came to a truth I couldn't deny- ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS. All living things deserve to live a happy life! After crying through multiple documentaries ( *Please watch "Earthlings", "Vegucated", and "Forks Over Knives", "Cowspiracy", and "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"*) and watching the horrifying conditions dairy cows and egg laying chickens suffer, I couldn't make any other choice. It was weighing on my heart. I had to make a change, I had to do my part. This is when my Vegan journey began. It was all out of love. Love for my body, love for the animals and love for this planet.

My goal here is to share my journey with other Vegans, new and old & those who are "Vegan-curious". Everyone is accepted here, just like in my own home.We love sharing Vegan food with our non-vegan friends. I will be sharing recipes that the entire family will enjoy together. I have a few that are "family favorites" that we have successfully "veganize" and a few new inventions. Going Vegan rekindled my love for cooking. It was like learning to cook all over again. I loved trying new flavors, ethnic foods, and recipes. Anything you ate before, can be made Vegan with easy substitutions! It really is easy to Go Vegan, so what are you waiting for? Start your journey today!


That's just a little bit about me, hope you enjoy the journey :)

Below are a few links that I want to share with all the NEWBIES:

If you have a Pinterest Account, I post all kinds of Vegan recipes, nutrition information, and vegan memes - Follow me on Pinterest . I also have a full board full of How To Go Vegan


I also have a Facebook page dedicated to all things Vegan food - Christi's Vegan Life

If you like Vegan food pictures, Follow me on Instagram

** The picture above is of my local park. This is one of my favorite places to walk, feed ducks, and meditate on life. Just wanted to share "my place" with you***