Labor Day Vegan Recipes

I saw this link on Yahoo. There are some really delicious looking recipes!! 

Labor Day Vegan Recipes

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

Best Marinara Ever!

I am not an Italian. But I eat like one. Carbs are my fav. Carnivore loves them, too! Baby Omnivore asks for noodles for breakfast.  We all agree on something!!

I have taken a few slow cooker marinara recipes, switched a few things around, and have perfected my own version.  It takes 8 hours to cook, on low, and your house will smell glorious.  Then, let it cool, store them in mason jars, and you've got sauce for the next couple weeks.  Baby Omnivore loves to open the cans and help stir! It is so easy!

The Vegan and The Carnivore's Slow Cooker Marinara

Combine in Slow Cooker:

(use a crockpot liner--makes clean up a breeze!)

2 (28 ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes or 1 can crushed tomatoes and 1 (28 ounce) can of marinara (Trader Joe's green can is my fav)

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1/2 T minced garlic

1 T dried basil

1/2 T dried oregano

1 T brown sugar

1 T balsamic vinegar

5 shakes of dried onion

3 shakes of dried chopped bay leaves, plus 2 whole bay leaves (keep close to the top)

1/2 T red pepper flakes

3/4 cup water

optional: 1 medium onion (I omit onion, sub with dried onion, since we aren't an onion loving family)

Let cook for 8 hours on low.  Add salt, remove whole bay leaves, and serve (or cool for storage).

Yum!! So much flavor!!

I use this sauce for:

Angel Hair and Marinara (egg free noodles)

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Baked Goat Cheese appetizer (great for entertaining)

Add greek yogurt or Tofutti cream cheese to make a creamy red sauce

Baked Ziti

Simmer with meatballs or soy meatballs

lots more!!!!

Coupon Crazy!!

I'm officially on Summer Vacation!!! Woo Hoo!!!

What does this mean?

Pool Time.

Kid Time.

Cook Time.

Blog Time.

Organize Time.

Some Solo Time.

Ahh... Summer Vacay, the reason we become teachers.... oh besides that helping kids stuff. Just Kidding!!

Anyways, I have made it my summer goal to "Menu Plan" and get into a habit that can be carried into the busy Fall season.  The Carnivore and I become very tired from full time jobs, then come home and want to spend time with Baby Omnivore, rather than in the kitchen.  We have gotten used to frozen, easy to throw together, 8pm dinners: two habits I am determined to break!  One, eating within 3 hours of bedtime = belly fat.  Two, Omnivore eats way better when we are there modeling appropriate mealtime behavior, rather than wandering around the house and leaving him alone to feed the dog. Three, we need to eat less frozen and more fresh foods.

So, from Meal Planning came Grocery Lists, and from Grocery Lists came Obsessive Compulsive Couponing. Actually, technically I prefer being called a Price Matcher, but I'm also couponing... double savings!  So how does Price Match work?  Well, Walmart (and Target, apparently, but I haven't tried) will match any store's price, without even seeing an ad. Trader Joe's is still my #1 Love, and I know Corporate America is the Devil, however.... I will be bringing home less money soon, and while totally worth it, I feel like this is the perfect time to begin making a conscious effort to budget our food costs more efficiently! Why use Walmart's Price Match, rather than just going to the advertising stores? It is called having a 1 year old!!! Being able to get all the best prices, in one stop, is HUGE.  Some critics of Price Matching argue that the weekly ads only put junk food and soda on sale, and the healthy food is way more expensive.  Well, thanks to Aldi's prices, with Walmart's great produce section, healthy eating has never been so easy...and so yummy!  I get Red, Orange, and Yellow Bell Peppers for $1.59 for a pack of 3!! That is a savings of $1.50-$3.00! More info on Price Matching can be found on this super helpful blog!

I literally spent 6-8 hours today organizing my Price Match book.  I have turned an old school photo album with the peel back plastic covers into my Ad Book.  I also created a spreadsheet, which I am posting for your use here!!!   The reason I bring the Ad Book is just in case there is that random new cashier who wants to see the ad...  Pretty much, I'm just trying to save myself some embarrassment! So, Price Match is based upon the honor system, which sadly I'm sure people take advantage of, however I am being very thorough and legit in my research.  The best part is, they don't care when the item was on sale at the other store, so my Ad Book won't expire! The only thing I will need to do is add on new specials that arrive in the paper, and update any prices that become better than my current price!

So, I will take my Ad Book (just in case) and my attached coupons, as well as my post-it notes.  When I pick up the item that matches the ad's description, I stick the post-it note on the item, with the Price Match info written on it.  I reuse my post-it notes, and it helps create my shopping list, as well! The cashiers appreciate the post it notes, because they can quickly adjust the price, without all the hassle of ads, newspaper clippings, etc...

Anyways, I will post more about Menu Planning for The Vegan and The Carnivore throughout the summer! But I wanted to get this spreadsheet out for those who want to begin Price Matching at Walmart! 

The ads on my spreadsheet are for Kansas City grocery stores, but I'm sure out of town readers could use these prices until you can create your own Ad Book. You will see some items do not have an ad price, and this is because I have store or manufacturer coupons for these items. You will have to skip those items, since you don't have the same actual coupons that I have. (Coupons are a one-time bonus, since Walmart does keep them, even if they are Target, CVS, Family Dollar, etc...) But start saving your coupons! AND.... Target coupons and Manufacturer coupons can both be used on the same item! Triple savings! As you can see, my next dozen eggs will cost 18 cents!!

Happy Price Matching!!

Click to Enlarge--3 parts: (email or comment if you want me to send you the document by email)

Organization!

Carnivore, Omnivore, and I moved into a new house this past summer.  It is wonderful, and we have made it "home" through some cosmetic changes.  However, when changing walls and cabinets, paint colors, ceilings, etc.... the "organization" doesn't become first priority.  Therefore, Spring Cleaning is offering a much overdo chance to make things as we want them.  Case in point: our cabinets and pantry.

If there is one thing Vegan, Carnivore, and Omnivore agree on, it is baking tasty goods!  It has been my goal to have a kitchen that "makes sense" when cooking and baking.  The ingredients should be within reach, the triangle--stove, fridge, sink--should exist, etc... 

Anyways, this was my Spring Break organizational project! I think it turned out great!

Before: I had a spice cabinet that had ziplok bags full of flour, sugar, etc... It was messy and resulted in one very unmotivated cook.  

First Step:

Pinterest happened.  Let's be real, Pinterest has been the motivation behind several projects recently.  I just come across things, and think, "Wow, that would make life easier!"  So, why not try???

I researched how I wanted my canisters labeled.  There are many chalkboard labels available, but I'm too much of a perfectionist to attempt hand writing the labels, plus I just worried about the chalk fading, rubbing off on cooking hands, etc. So, I knew I wanted permanent, and found LittleDiddy's shop full of custom made vinyl decals. Perfect!

I ordered black decals for the following items: White flour, Wheat flour, Cane sugar, Raw sugar, Brown sugar, Powdered sugar, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Cornstarch, Marshmallows, Chocolate, and Fine Sea Salt.

Next:

I previously received four Crate and Barrel stainless canisters as a wedding gift (see brown sugar). They were $10-$25 each, depending on the size.  Since I wanted to organize everything, four would not be enough.  Tip:  Go to Hobby Lobby, go to the back of the store in crafts, and buy glass storage!  I went while glass was 50% off, and I was able to score each of my canisters for $1.75-$4.00 each! 

Last:

Applying the decals was a bit time consuming.  I ordered 12 custom made decals, and it took about 2 hours to put them all on.  However, it was worth it to move at a slow pace! I wanted them to be straight and fully stuck on. 

Finished!

Here are my first 12, in order according to size:

In the cabinet: (excuse the middle board)

I think I will order more labels for my pasta, rice, beans, etc... I'm an organizing maniac!!!!

Thoughts?

On that note, here is a [vegan] Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.... let's get to baking!!!!

Cookie Recipe

Oprah's Challenge!

I am sure you've heard by now... Oprah challenged her staff to go vegan for 1 week.  Her show did a great job casting a positive light on vegan life.

Read more here: http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/Oprah-and-378-Staffers-Go-Vegan-The-One-Week-Challenge

Maybe try 1 day animal free... then 2.  I think you'll like the way you feel!

Carnivores, I know you think I am crazy. It's OK. The feeling is mutual ;)  just kidding.  No, but really, Carnivores.... I challenge you to simply watch this video... http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Inside-a-Slaughterhouse-Video 

You are what you eat.

Happy Eating!!!

Supplement Shake

I have already discussed softgel pills here, and the fact vegans shouldn't take them. Gel = gelatin.  Here's a good way to get your pills down the hatch, sans bones.  Pop open the pills, lace that shake and suck it down!!  My current fav's are fenugreek, echinacea, and my go-to... flax seed.  You'll never know it is in there, but your body will!!!

1/2 cup soy yogurt (vanilla, chocolate, or your fav!)
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter {relax. it is good fat if you buy the right stuff.}
1/2 cup soy milk
3/4 cup fresh or frozen fruit
supplements of your choice

blend.

Happy President's Day!

We had a Springtime tease this weekend, which was glorious.  There was a lot of time spent on family walks, out and about, and driving with the windows down.  However, the weather is back to chilly.  Cold blowing winds make me want to stay inside, make a hearty meal, and curl up with a blanket, Carnivore and Omnivore. However, the recent sunshine makes it quite evident... swimsuit season is just around the corner!


Below is an article and good looking healthy recipe I found in the Lawrence Journal World this morning... A veg soup that Carnivore may attempt, if the greens don't look too overwhelming.  Also, another yummy salad that my friend shared with me can be found here. The combo would be delicious!! Of course, the salad wouldn't be Carnivore's pick, but he can eat the bread.


Enjoy! Oh, and Happy President's Day, Mr. Obama :)


***


Happy President’s Day, Meatless Monday folks! In the spirit of the day, we thought we’d pick a recipe featuring one of our current president’s favorite foods. So, ready or not, we’ve chosen a soup featuring President Obama-approved arugula, along with yummy soup mainstays bread and potatoes.


Now-president Obama got a lot of flack for mentioning arugula while running for the presdiency, a food choice that seemed a bit high brow to some pundits.


But you know what?


It’s good stuff and it’s good for you too. According to NutritionData.com, 100 grams of the leafy green veggie has 47 percent of your daily vitamin A, 25 percent of your vitamin C and only 25 calories.


Those are numbers you can’t argue. So, eat up and warm up with this easy soup. Oh, and an added bonus? This recipe is from Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, aka the Lidia of Lidia’s in Kansas City.


Bread, Potato and Arugula Soup


3/4 pound potatoes (baking) peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
7 cups water
Salt to taste
1 pound arugula (2 - 3 large bunches)
1/2 cup Italian bread, a day old or toasted with crusts removed and diced 1/2 inches
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup Romano cheese, freshly grated  (or leave off, for vegan)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper




In a deep, heavy 4-5 quart pot, combine the potatoes and water. Salt the water lightly and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to medium-high and cook the potatoes, covered, until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 18 minutes.


Meanwhile, cut off the thick stems from the arugula and wash the leaves in cool water to remove all sand and grit, changing the water if necessary. Drain the arugula well and cut it into 2 inch lengths.


Stir the arugula and bread into the pot and let boil for another 10 minutes.


Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic cloves and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 3 minutes.


Scrape the contents of the skillet into the soup pot and stir well. Season the soup with salt to taste and serve in warm bowls, sprinkled with the grated cheese.


— Recipe from by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich for www.melissas.com