Bad, Bad, Prego Vegan

I'm growing a baby boy, and eating what I crave.  Obviously, there is still no meat in my diet (eewww), but there is some dairy.  I have not forgotten about this blog.  I still live a Veg/Carnivore life, but the posts have slowed way down. OK, they have stopped.  But I promise to get back to it soon!!! Thanks for following!

Cure All Noodles

~The belly rules the mind. ~

-Spanish Proverb

These noodles are supposed to cure a hangover... All prepared in the microwave, all in minutes.  Then you can get back to the couch and back to the Law and Order marathon.  Let me know how it goes :)

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) package pasta of your choice (make sure egg free)

1/2 (8 ounce) container vegan cream cheese

1/2 (12 ounce) container vegan sour cream

1/2 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce

Directions:

Cook the noodles by submerging them in water in a microwave-safe dish and microwaving for about 5 minutes; stir and repeat until completely cooked.  Drain and set aside.  Mix together the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and nuke for 1 minute.  Place the noodles on a plate and top with the sauce.

No Bake Cookies

~A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. ~

-Author Unknown

I'll give Bill (the world's greatest No Bake Cookie maker) a run for his money.  Pretty sure Bill never knew the word vegan, anyways. The man loved butter!

Ingredients:

2/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup vegan shortening

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups rolled oats

Directions:

Put the syrup, shortening, and cocoa powder in a bowl and nuke for about 30 seconds.  Add peanut butter and nuke for an additional 45 seconds.  Stir right away and continue stirring until combined.  Add the cinnamon and oats and stir until well combined.  Drop onto wax paper and put in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving.

Peanut Butter Cup Pie

~Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold. ~

-Judith Olney

An attempt at Reece's? I'll give that a try any day!!!
 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup semisweet vegan chocolate chips, melted

2 (10.5 ounce) packages firm silken tofu

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon maple syrup

9-inch graham cracker pie shell (vegan version)

1 ripe banana, thinly sliced

Directions:

To melt the chocolate chips, place in a resealable freezer bag and put in the microwave for 1 minute or until the chips are melted.  In a blender, puree the tofu, peanut butter, melted chocolate chips, and maple syrup until smooth.  Cover the bottom of the pie crust with slices of banana.  Pour the tofu mixture over the banana slices and chill for at least 2 hours.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Balls

~Don't wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty. ~

-Lora Brody

Takes some freezer room and some time, but worth the wait!

Ingredients:

1 (28 ounce) jar creamy peanut butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1 bag vegan chocolate chips

Directions:

Using your hands, thoroughly smooth the peanut butter and the powdered sugar together in a bowl, forming a dough.  Roll 1-inch balls with the dough and place on a cookie sheet that's been covered with parchment or wax paper.  Freeze for at least an hour.  Remove from the freezer and set aside.  Put the chocolate chips in a bowl and nuke for 1 minute.  Stir.  Heat for another 30 seconds, if necessary, and stir unti smooth.  Spoon onto the peanut butter balls and freeze for at least an hour.  Store in a cool, dry place.

PBR Crispy Treats

~I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~

-Jason Love

Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats--what more do I need to say!?!?!

Ingredients:

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup smooth peanut butter

6 cups puffed rice cereal

Olive oil or vegan butter, for greasing

Directions:

Mix the corn syrup, sugar, and peanut butter in a container that can be microwaved.  Heat slowly until the sugar dissolves, stirring every minute or so.  Remove from microwave and stir the cereal in right away.  Spread into a greased pan, and chill until firm. Cut and eat!

Blueberry Pancakes in a Mug

~A woman is as old as she looks before breakfast.~
-Edgar Watson Howe

Yummy!! 

Ingredients:

2 cups Bisquick (or any other vegan pancake mix)

1 cup soy milk

3 teaspoons egg replacer mixed with 4 tablespoons water

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Maple syrup, to taste (optional)

Powdered sugar, to taste (optional)

Vegan butter, to taste (optional)

Directions:

Mix the first four ingredients together.  Pour evenly into two mugs and microwave each for 1 to 2 minutes, until completely cooked. Add toppings and enjoy!

new cookbook

~The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.~ 

-Fanny Fern

I'm alive :)

I picked up a new book today called "PETA's Vegan College Cookbook."  Although I'm not in college, I like quick and easy meals quite often.  This book has lots of fast recipes... I'm going to be posting a few that I think Carnivore might eat, too. Stay tuned!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

~Health food makes me sick.~
-Calvin Trillin

Thank you to Vegetarian Times for this recipe. With simple and healthy ingredients, chocolate chip cookies can be a staple in your diet!

The Heart-Healthiest Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World

 Ingredients:

Makes 30 cookies

• 3 Tbs. canola oil
• 2 cups walnuts
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1½ cups oat flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3 3.5-oz. bars bittersweet vegan chocolate, chopped, or 1½ cups vegan chocolate chips (12 oz.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.

2. Blend walnuts in food processor 30 seconds, or until ground into a fine meal. Add canola oil, and blend 2 to 3 minutes more, or until mixture has the consistency of natural peanut butter, scraping down sides of food processor occasionally. Transfer to bowl.

3. Whisk together brown sugar and ½ cup water in small saucepan, and bring mixture to a boil. Pour brown sugar mixture over ground walnut butter, add vanilla extract, and stir until no lumps remain.

4. Whisk together oat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in separate bowl. Stir oat flour mixture into walnut mixture. Cool 10 minutes. Fold in oats, then chocolate chips.

5. Shape cookie dough into 2-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Flatten cookies with bottom of drinking glass dipped in water. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies begin to brown and tops look dry. Cool 3 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

all the rave

~We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.~ 

-Adelle Davis

I have heard about Black Bean Brownies for a couple weeks now, but haven't had a chance to make them.  I found this vegan recipe online, and am challenging you all to make them and report back! Apparently they are divine, and you can't taste the black beans at all, but get the nutritional benefits! :) Keep me posted!

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients:

• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 whole bananas
• ⅓ cup agave nectar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup raw sugar (optional)
• ¼ cup instant oats 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8" pan and set aside. Combine all ingredients, except oats, in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, scrapping sides as needed. Stir in the oats and pour batter into the pan. Bake approx 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before slicing.  Note: if you find these brownies are too soft or too fudgey, add another 1/4 cup oats or flour.

Vegan Pasta

~Those who forget the pasta are condemned to reheat it.~

-Author Unknown

Not for the carnivore, but it would be easy to make the pasta, then separate it into two batches before adding vegetables. Top with tomato sauce for carnivore, complete recipe for vegan.

Quick Pasta Recipe

1/2 pound orecchiette
EVOO
1 box of Birds Eye “Tuscan Vegetables in an Herbed Tomato Sauce” (in frozen vegetable section)
1/2 bunch fresh asparagus
1/2 bag fresh or frozen corn

Cook the pasta in salted and oiled water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Meanwhile, clean the asparagus, break off the ends, and steam until cooked, but slightly crisp. Strain pasta and return to pot. Put two turns of the pan of EVOO into pasta and stir, making sure all orecchiette gets coated. Add asparagus to pasta, stir. Warm up corn and add to pasta. Steam the Birds Eye vegetables in the microwave for 4 minutes, add to pasta. I do not add more tomato sauce, because I like this dish with more of an EVOO dressing than tomato sauce covering. Pepper to taste.

Hummus for All!

~When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.~

-Laiko Bahrs

One appetizer that Carnivore and I both agree on is pita and hummus. We are picky in our flavors though, so often times we stick to store bought Roasted Red Pepper. However, I blended a few recipes together to create this concoction, and it is delicious! (and so easy to make--start to finish is about 5 minutes)

Ingredients:


2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup tepid water
4 garlic cloves
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
2 tablespoons water or liquid from the chickpeas
8 dashes hot sauce
6-8 pieces roasted red pepper


Directions:

Place sesame seeds in a blender or food processor and grind until smooth. Add sesame oil and 1/4 tsp salt. Process until combined. With the motor running, add the 1/4 cup tepid water in a very slow, steady stream and blend until smooth.

While running the food processor, drop the garlic down the feed tube; process until it's minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed. Taste, for seasoning, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Interesting article

~If nature had intended our skeletons to be visible it would have put them on the outside of our bodies. ~

-Elmer Rice

Interesting viewpoint on healthy eating found in Time Magazine...

Orthorexia: Can Healthy Eating Be Labeled a Disorder?

By BONNIE ROCHMAN 

 

Kristie Rutzel was in high school when she began adhering precisely to the government food pyramids. As the Virginia native learned more about healthy eating, she stopped ingesting anything processed, then restricted herself to whole foods and eventually to 100% organic. By college, the 5-ft. 4-in. communications major was on a strict raw-foods diet, eating little else besides uncooked broccoli and cauliflower and tipping the scales at just 68 lb. Rutzel, now 27, has a name for her eating disorder: orthorexia, a controversial diagnosis characterized by an obsession with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthy.

As the list of foods to steer clear of (bye-bye, trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup) continues to grow, eating-disorder experts are increasingly confronted with patients like Rutzel who speak of nervously shunning foods with artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and rigidly following a particular diet, such as vegan or raw foods. Women may be more prone to this kind of restrictive consumption than men, keeping running tabs of verboten foods and micromanaging food prep. Many opt to go hungry rather than eat anything less than wholesome. 

Yet when Rutzel first sought help for anemia and osteopenia, a precursor of osteoporosis triggered by her avoidance of calcium, her doctor in upstate New York, where she attended college, had never heard of orthorexia. "You should be trying to eat healthy," she remembers him telling her. He couldn't quite grasp that he was talking to a health nut who believed there were few truly healthy foods she felt were safe to eat. Her condition was eventually identified as anorexia, a diagnosis that organizations like the Washington-based Eating Disorders Coalition think is a mistake. The group, which represents more than 35 eating-disorder organizations in the U.S., wants orthorexia to have a separate entry in the bible of psychiatric illness, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). 

For the past decade, psychiatrists have been working on the fifth edition of the DSM - referred to as DSM-V - to refine the classifications used by mental-health professionals to diagnose and research disorders. Without a listing in the DSM, it's tough to get treatment covered by insurance. And for researchers angling for grant money, a disorder's absence from the DSM makes it hard to get research funded. 

On Wednesday, the first draft of DSM-V was published online, kicking off a three-year process of public comment and further revisions that will culminate in a new and improved version come 2013. Orthorexia is not listed in this new draft and, despite the ongoing efforts of various eating-disorder groups, is unlikely to make its way into the final edition.

"We're not in a position to say it doesn't exist or it's not important," says Tim Walsh, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University who led the American Psychiatric Association's work group that reviewed eating disorders for inclusion in DSM-V. "The real issue is significant data." Getting listed as a separate entry in the DSM requires extensive scientific knowledge of a syndrome and broad clinical acceptance, neither of which orthorexia has.

Most doctors think a separate diagnosis is unwarranted. Orthorexia might be connected to an anxiety disorder or it might be a precursor to a more commonly diagnosed condition, says Cynthia Bulik, director of the eating-disorders program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "We don't want people to be mislabeled and not get the care they need because they're actually on the slippery slope to anorexia," she says.

Kathleen MacDonald, who oversees legislative policy at the Eating Disorders Coalition, agrees with Bulik that people should get the care they need. Which is precisely why she thinks orthorexia should have its own classification. Although Bulik and others often use cognitive behavioral therapy, in which patients like Rutzel are coached to replace obsessive thoughts with healthy ones, MacDonald worries there is not enough known about which treatments work best for orthorexia. "It's hit-or-miss," she says.

After seeking help at three different facilities, Rutzel finally embraced a program of meal plans that challenged her to gradually incorporate foods she had blacklisted. Still slim in a size 2, she is engaged to a man whose oldest daughter is 9. And Rutzel says she is looking forward to sharing her experiences with food with her soon-to-be stepdaughter. "It's O.K. to eat potato chips and Pop-Tarts," says Rutzel, "but only every now and then."

Yummy Chinese

~You do not sew with a fork, and I see no reason why you should eat with knitting needles.~

-Miss Piggy 

Chinese food is one of those mystery foods, depending on the restaurant you dine in.  You can ask them ten questions about how something is prepared, but you'll probably come away just as clueless as you started.  Every "family style bean curd" is different than the next, who exactly is General Tso?, and don't get me started on the broth in the Tofu soup.  So, as with most foods, it is best to prepare it yourself at home.  This recipe turned out delicious, and is very easy to make.  Because you prepare the protein separate from the vegetables, vegan and carnivore can use the same sauce with their preferred protein.  (And leave the peppers out, if need be.) The warm pineapple provides the true meaning of the name "Sweet and Sour."  Serve with steamed brown rice and/or rice noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks or tidbits, packed in juice
• 3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (I use Braggs)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Carnivore protein of choice, or 1 14-ounce package extra-firm water-packed tofu, drained, rinsed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips
• 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips 

Directions 

1. Drain and set aside pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup of the juice. Whisk the reserved pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Place meat/tofu in a large bowl; toss with 3 tablespoons of the sauce. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, add cornstarch to the remaining sauce and whisk until smooth.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer the meat/tofu to the pan using a slotted spoon; whisk any remaining marinade into the bowl of reserved sauce. Brown the meat or cook the tofu, stirring every 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown, 7 to 9 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
4. Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add red and green peppers and cook, stirring often, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the reserved sauce and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 30 seconds. Add the meat/tofu and pineapple and cook, stirring gently, until heated through, about 2 minutes more.

Mac and Cheese, at last!

~Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.~

-Jim Davis

One thing I remember vividly is the taste of Macaroni and Cheese.  I have not been able to reproduce this childhood favorite, thus far.  I don't know about you, but all those boxed vegan Mac 'n Chreeze attempts are just not good.  So I decided to branch out, bring in some new flavors, and see what I end up with.  

I veganized a Rachael Ray recipe for Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, and it turned out so much better than I expected. This recipe uses the vegetable and herbs to kick up the flavors, so that the fact the cheese is imitation does not affect the taste.  I highly recommend making the vegan version for both of you, but if carnivore is similar to mine, then you'll probably have to make two. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound macaroni with lines, such as tubatini or mini penne rigate (make sure egg free)
• Salt
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 2 tablespoons butter (earth balance)
• 1/2 medium onion (I used one shallot, since I'm not a huge onion person)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs for garnish (dried works, too)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock (change to vegetable stock)
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen cooked butter nut squash, defrosted
• 1 cup cream or half-and-half (original soy milk)
• 2 cups (8 ounces) sharp Cheddar, grated (Follow Your Heart cheddar)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, a couple of handfuls  (Follow Your Heart mozzarella)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, eyeball it
• Black pepper

Directions

Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta. Salt the water then add the pasta and cook to al dente or, with a bite to it.

While pasta cooks, heat a medium heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When the butter melts into the oil, add the thyme and grate the onion directly into the pot with a hand held grater or Microplane. Cook the grated onion in butter and oil 1 to 2 minutes, then add flour and cook together 1 to 2 more minutes. Whisk in stock, then combine with butternut squash until warmed through and smooth. Stir in cream or half-and-half and bring sauce to a bubble. Stir in cheeses in a figure 8 motion and season the completed sauce with salt, nutmeg and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings.

Drain cooked pasta well and combine with sauce, top with thyme leaves picked from remaining sprigs.

pill poppin'

~Laughter is the best medicine.~

-Proverb

You may not even realize when you take your daily vitamins, pump echinacea when you're coming down with a cold, or nyquilling your way through a night, that you are ingesting large amounts of gelatin. Everyone knows that jello is packed full of it, but vitamins?  Yep, those softgels are wrapped in the same boiled bone substance that we all avoid.

So how do you avoid this? Check out http://www.vegetarianvitamin.com/ for several options of vegan vitamins.  Also, when given the choice between gelcaps and standard tablets, go for the basics.  Although all meds in the US are tested on animals before being put on the shelves, you can reduce the intake of gelatin by not buying those coated in gelatin.  And carnivore won't know the difference between two pill types, so you might as well change out the whole medicine cabinet!  Because, let's face it, last time I checked, animal skin and bones did not cure the common cold. Yuck.

Grocery Shopping

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.~

-Doug Larson

Another great link to print and keep with you when grocery shopping.  All the following items are PETA approved vegan items that can be picked up at any big chain grocery store.  Many of these items can be shared with carnivore, since they are the "basics" of the pantry.  I think you'll be surprised at what all is on this list.  Take a look...

Breakfast (Dry)

• All-Bran
• Alpha Bits
• Apple Jacks
• Bran Flakes
• Cap'n Crunch Cereal Peanut Butter Crunch
• Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch
• Cascadian Farm's Clifford Crunch
• Cinnamon Crunch Crispix
• Cinnamon Krunchers
• Cinnamon Life
• Cocoa Pebbles
• Cocoa Puffs
• Cocoa Rice Krispies
• Complete Oat Bran
• Complete Wheat Bran
• Corn Chex
• Corn Flakes
• Corn Pops
• Cracklin' Oat Bran
• Crispix
• Froot Loops
• Frosted Flakes
• Fruit Harvest
• Fruity Pebbles
• Just Right
• Kellogg's Organic Frosted Mini-Wheats
• Kellogg's Special K Red Berries Cereal
• Kix
• Life Cereal
• Malt-O-Meal (Chocolate)
• Malt-O-Meal (Original)
• Mueslix
• Multi-Bran Chex
• Nature Valley Granola Bars (Brown Sugar)
• Pop Tarts (Unfrosted Apple Cinnamon)
• Pop Tarts (Unfrosted Blueberry)
• Pop Tarts (Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon)
• Pop Tarts (Unfrosted Strawberry)
• Quaker Apples and Cinnamon
• Quaker Cinnamon and Spice
• Quaker Date and Walnut
• Quaker Oatmeal (Raisin)
• Quaker Raisins and Spice
• Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs
• Reese's Puffs
• Rice Chex
• Rice Krispies
• Trix

Beverages

• Alpine Spiced Cider
• Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Hazelnut)
• Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Mocha)
• Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate (Double Chocolate)
• Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate (Baking Cocoa)
• Kool-Aid Drink Mix
• Monster Energy Drinks
• Nescafe Ice Java Iced Coffee Syrup
• Nestle Nesquick Syrup (Chocolate)
• Nestle Nesquik Syrup (Strawberry)
• Nestle Nesquik Syrup (Very Vanilla)
• Power Edge Energy Drink Mix
• Red Bull Energy Drink

Snacks

• Airheads Taffy
• Anna's Almond Cinnamon Thins
• Anna's Ginger Thins
• Big League Chew Gum
• Blow Pops
• Brach's Cinnamon Hard Candy
• Brach's Cinnamon Hard Candy
• Brach's Orange Slices
• Brach's Root Beer Barrels
• Brach's Star Brites
• Bremner Wafers
• Brownstone Baking Co. Mini Bagel Crisps (Garlic)
• Bubble Tape Gum
• Carr's Table Wafer
• Carr's Tea Biscuits
• Charms lollipops
• Chew-ets Peanut Chews (Original)
• Chick-o-Sticks
• Chocolove Dark Chocolate bar
• Chocolove Orange Peel (Dark Chocolate Bar)
• Cracker Jacks
• Cry Babies
• Dem Bones
• Dole Madarin Orange Fruit Gels
• Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Tortilla Chips
• Dots
• Dum Dums
• Entenmann's Fudge Delights Fudge & Mint Cookies
• Everest Gum
• Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies (Chocolate)
• Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies (Oatmeal Macaroon)
• Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies (Peanut Butter)
• Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies (Vanilla)
• Ferrara Wafer Swirls With Chocolate
• Fireballs
• Food Lion Animal Cookies
• Food Lion Ginger Snaps
• Food Lion Oatmeal Cookies
• Food Lion Saltines
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Assorted)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Chocolate Creme)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Chocolate Fudge)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Double Creme-O's)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Duplex)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Mini Chocolate & Vanilla Cremes)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Peanut Butter)
• Food Lion Sandwich Cookies (Vanilla)
• Food Lion Snack Crackers
• Food Lion Sugar Cookies
• Fred Meyer Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Frito Lay Sabritones
• Fritos (Barbecue)
• Fritos (Original)
• Fruit By the Foot
• Ghirardelli Twilight Delight Intense Dark
• Goldenberg's Peanut Chews (Original)
• Goya Flan
• Goya Spanish Style Custard Flan Mix
• Grandma's Peanut Butter Sandwich Cremes
• Hain Apple Cinnamon Rice Cakes
• Herr's Onion Flavored Rings
• Herr's Salsa and Lime Tortilla Chips
• Hubba Bubba Bubblegum
• Hubba Bubba Gum
• Jolly Ranchers (lollipops and hard candy)
• Jujubees
• Jujyfruits
• Keebler Animal Crackers
• Keebler Club Crackers
• Keebler Ice Cream Cups
• Keebler Vienna Fingers
• Kettle Brand Potato Chips Sea Salt & Vinegar
• Kettle White Popcorn
• Kool-Aid Gels
• Kozy Shack Jammin' Gels
• Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies
• Lance Capitain's Wafers
• Lance Choc-O Cookies
• Lance Malt Crackers With Peanut Butter
• Lance Nekot Cookies With Peanut Butter
• Lance Nut-O Lunch Cookies (Peanut Butter)
• Lance Nut-O Lunch Cookies (Strawberry Creme)
• Lance Peanut Bar
• Lance Sugar Wafers (Strawberry Creme)
• Lance Sugar Wafers (Vanilla Creme)
• Lance Toasty Crackers With Peanut Butter
• Lance Van-O Lunch Cookies
• Lay's Blue Corn Chips
• Lay's Potato Chips (Natural Country Barbecue)
• Lay's Potato Chips (Thick Cut Sea Salt)
• Lay's Stax
• Lay's Yellow Corn Chips
• Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes
• Mambas
• Mambas
• Manischewitz Whole Wheat Matzo, Unsalted Matzo, and Savory Garlic Matzo
• Mary Janes (regular and peanut butter kisses)
• Mates Pudding Mix
• Melba Toast (Rye)
• Melba Toast (Sesame)
• Melba Toast (Wheat)
• Munchos
• Murray Butter Cookies
• Murray Cinnamon Grahams
• Murray Coconut Bars
• Murray Southern Kitchen Iced Oatmeal Cookies
• Murray Sugar-Free Vanilla Wafers
• Nabisco Double Delight Mint'n Creme Oreos
• Nabisco Ginger Snaps
• Nabisco Halloween Oreos
• Nabisco Iced Oatmeal Cookies
• Nabisco Oatmeal Cookies
• Nabisco Oreo Chocolate Ice Cream Cones
• Nabisco Oreo Cookies
• Nabisco Oreo Thin Crisps
• Nabisco Original Graham Crackers
• Nabisco Saltine Crackers
• Nabisco Teddy Grahams (Chocolate and Cinnamon)
• Nabisco Triscuit Crackers Baked Whole Grain Wheat Fire Roasted Tomato
• Nabisco Triscuit Crackers Baked Whole Grain Wheat Rosemary & Olive Oil
• Nabisco Triscuit Crackers Cracked Pepper & Olive
• Nabisco Uh-oh Oreos, Spring Oreos, Chocolate Creme Oreos
• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars (Apple Crisp)
• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars (Maple Brown Sugar)
• Nature's Path Deep Chocolate Cookies
• Nature's Path Ginger Spice Cookies
• Nature's Path Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
• Nestle Double Chocolate Thin Mints
• New York Flatbreads (Everything, Garlic, and Fat-Free)
• Now and Later
• Orbitz Gum
• Original Terra Chips
• Pure De-Lite Coconut Bars
• Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Cakes
• Ring Pop lollipops
• Ritz Regular Crackers
• Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers
• Sesame Royale Breadsticks
• Smarties (U.S. version only)
• Snackwells Cracked Pepper Crackers
• Snyder's Jalapeno Pretzel Pieces
• Snyder's Pretzel Sticks (Pumpernickel/Onion and Oat Bran)
• Sour Patch Kids
• Soy Crisps (Barbecue, Deep Sea Salt, and Garlic Onion)
• Stacey's Pita Chips (Baked and Taxarkana Hot)
• Sun Chips Original flavor
• Super Bubble
• Swedish Fish
• Toasteds Crackers (Sesame and Wheat)
• Town House Original Crackers
• Triscuit Crackers (Original, Reduced Fat, Garlic Herb, and Roasted Garlic)
• Tropical Source mini chocolate bags
• Utz Puffed Caramel Corn
• VeganSweets marshmallows
• Velamints Mints
• Wasa Crispbread (Light Rye and Multi-Grain)
• Wheat Thins (Original, Multi-Grain, and Reduced Fat)
• Wise Onion Rings
• Zesta Original Crackers
• Zotz

Condiments

• Arnold Premium Seasoned Stuffing
• Betty Crocker Bac-o's Bacon Flavor Bits
• Brianna's French Dressing
• Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing
• Brianna's Santa Fe Blend Dressing
• Campbell's Franco-American Mushroom Gravy
• Classico Pasta Sauces (Roasted Garlic and Spicy Red Pepper)
• Dona Maria Mole
• El Paso Enchilada Sauce
• El Paso Enchilada Sauce
• French's Beef Stew Mix
• Girard's Champagne Dressing
• Girard's Italian Dressing
• Girard's Original French Dressing
• Girard's Raspberry Dressing
• Gravy Master Seasoning & Brown Sauce
• Heinz Ketchup
• Hershey's Syrup
• Hunt's Manwich Sauce
• Kame Marinades (Red Chili)
• Kame Marinades (Sweet Teriyaki)
• Kame Marinades (Thai Coconut)
• Kame Marinades (Wasabi with Ginger)
• Kellogg's Corn Flakes Crumbs
• Knorr Red Bell Pepper Pesto Sauce Mix
• Kraft Balsamic Dressing
• Kraft Catalina Dressing
• Kraft Classic Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
• Kraft Creamy Italian Dressing
• Kraft Fat Free Italian Dressing
• Kraft French Dressing
• Kraft French Fries Seasoning
• Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
• Kraft Shake 'N Bake Seasoned Coating Mix Crispy Chicken Nuggets
• McCormick Bag'n Season Chicken
• McCormick Bag'n Season Italian Herb Chicken
• McCormick Bag'n Season Oriental Chicken
• McCormick Bag'n Season Pot Roast
• McCormick Bag'n Season Southwest Style Chicken
• McCormick Bag'n Season Swiss Steak
• McCormick French Onion Dip Mix
• McCormick Hunter Sauce Blend
• McCormick Mesquite Chicken Seasoning
• McCormick Ranch Dip Mix
• McCormick Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning
• McCormick Skillet Paste Sweet & Sour Chicken
• McCormick Skillet Paste Thick & Spicy BBQ Pork
• McCormick Spaghetti Sauce Mix
• McCormick Spring Onion Dip Mix
• McCormick Stir Fry Chicken Seasoning Blend
• McCormick Vegetable Dip Mix
• Melissa's White Chocolate Dessert Topping
• Newman's Light Balsamic Dressing
• Newman's Light Italian Dressing
• Newman's Light Raspberry and Walnut Dressing
• Newman's Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing
• Newman's Red Wine Vinaigrette and Olive Oil Dressing
• Newman's Regular Balsamic Dressing
• NOH Chinese Lemon Chicken Sauce Mix
• Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
• Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams
• Peanut Butter & Co. The Heat Is On
• Ragu Pizza Sauce
• Smucker's Goober Grape Peanut Butter
• Smucker's Marshmallow Icecream Topping

Baked Goods

• Arnold's Carb-Counting Multi-Grain Bread
• Arnold's Jewish Rye Bread
• Arnold's Potato Sandwich Rolls
• Arnold's Sesame Sandwich Rolls
• Arnold's Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread
• Arnold's Wheat Sandwich Rolls
• Baker's Inn Hearty Potato with Grain
• Baker's Inn Raisin Wheat
• Cobblestone Mill Hoagie Rolls
• Cobblestone Mill Jewish Rye Bread
• Cobblestone Mill Kaiser Rolls
• Cobblestone Mill Onion Rolls
• Cobblestone Mill Party Rolls
• Cobblestone Mill Pumpernickel Bread
• Cobblestone Mill San Francisco Sourdough Bread
• Cobblestone Mill White Sub Rolls
• Cobblestone Mill Whole Wheat Bread
• Dutch Country Soft Potato Bread
• Dutch Country Whole Wheat
• Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies (Apple)
• Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies (Cherry)
• Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies (Peach)
• Sunbeam Bread
• Thomas New York Style Bagels (Blueberry)
• Thomas New York Style Bagels (Cinnamon Swirl)
• Thomas New York Style Bagels (Everything)
• Thomas New York Style Bagels (Plain)
• Thomas Toaster Bagels (Cinnamon Raisin)
• Thomas Toaster Bagels (Plain)
• Weight Watchers Fork Split English Muffins

Refrigerated and Frozen Foods

• Anne's Flat Dumplings
• Athens Phyllo Dough
• Athens Phyllo Mini Shells
• Calaro Guacamole
• Edy's No-Sugar Bars
• Edy's Whole Fruit Bars
• Food Lion French Fries
• Food Lion Hash Browns
• Food Lion Restaurant Fries
• Food Lion Seasoned Curly Fries
• Food Lion Shoe String Fries
• Food Lion Steak Fries
• General Mills Italian-Style Vegetables
• General Mills Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs
• Kashi Black Bean Mango
• Kashi Garden Vegetable Pasta
• Kashi Mayan Harvest
• Kashi Ranchero Beans
• Kashi Tuscan Veggie Bake
• Keebler Fudge Shoppe Fudge Pops
• Lender's Bagels (Cinnamon Raisin)
• Lender's Bagels (Onion)
• Lender's Bagels (Plain)
• Luigi's Italian Ice
• Marie Callender Frozen Fruit Pies and Cobblers
• Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Bars
• Mrs. Smith's Cherry Crumb Pie Slices
• Mrs. Smith's Deep Dish Pie Crust
• Mrs. Smith's Dutch Apple Crumb Pie Slices
• Mrs. Smith's Peach Pie Slices
• Ore-Ida French Fries
• Ore-Ida Tater Tots
• Pillsbury Cornbread Twists
• Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• Pillsbury Pizza Dough
• Pillsbury Turnover (Apple)
• Pillsbury Turnover (Cherry)
• Pinata Flour Tortillas
• Simply Potatoes Diced Potato with Onion
• Simply Potatoes New Potato Wedges
• Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
• Smart Balance Light Buttery Spread
• Smart Beat Super Light Margarine
• Smart Squeeze Fat-Free Margarine
• Smuckers Uncrustables Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly
• Smuckers Uncrustables Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam
• SuperPretzel Baked Soft Pretzels

Baking

• Aunt Jemima Coffee Cake Mix
• Aunt Jemima Whole Wheat Pancake/Waffle Mix
• Betty Crocker Bisquick
• Betty Crocker Bisquick Reduced Fat
• Blue Bonnet Light Margarine
• Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening
• Crisco Original Cooking Spray
• Crisco Zero Grams Trans Fat Per Serving All-Vegetable Shortening
• Duncan Hines California Walnut Brownie Mix
• Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting (Chocolate)
• Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting (Classic Vanilla)
• Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting (French Vanilla)
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
• Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
• Hodgson Mill Bran Muffin Mix
• Hodgson Mill Caraway Rye Bread Mix
• Hodgson Mill White Bread Mix
• Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Gingerbread Mix
• Jell-O Instant Pudding (Pistachio)
• Jello-O Instant Pudding (Banana Creme)
• Jello-O Instant Pudding (Lemon)
• Jello-O Instant Pudding (Vanilla)
• Keebler Ready Crust Pie Crusts (Graham Cracker)
• Keebler Ready Crust Pie Crusts (Shortbread)
• Pillsbury Treat Toppers Chocolate
• Pillsbury Treat Toppers Vanilla
• Reduced Fat Bisquick
• Royal Pudding & Pie Filling
• Smart Balance Light Margarine
• Tropical Source Dark Chocolate Chips

Staples

• Betty Crocker Hash Brown
• Campbell's Franco-American Mushroom Gravy
• Campbell’s canned mushroom gravy
• Del Monte White Corn Cream Style
• Green Giant Cream Style Sweet Corn
• Healthy Choice Garden Vegetable Soup
• Hormel Vegetarian Chili
• Hunt's Manwich Sauce
• Knorr Red Bell Pepper Pesto Sauce Mix
• Kraft "It's Pasta Anytime" Spaghetti with Marinara
• Kraft French Fries Seasoning
• Kraft Shake 'N Bake (Original Chicken Coating Mix, Original Pork Coating Mix, and Hot/Spicy Coating Mix)
• Kraft Taco Bell Soft Taco Dinner
• Kraft Taco Bell Taco Dinner
• Manischewitz Sweet Potato Pancake Mix
• McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix
• McCormick Original, Hot, and Mild Chili Seasoning Mix
• McCormick Pasta Salad Vinaigrette Dressing Blend
• McCormick Sloppy Joe Seasoning
• McCormick Spaghetti Sauce Mix
• Near East Original Rice Pilaf Mix
• Near East Spanish Rice Pilaf and Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf
• Near East Toasted Pine Nut Couscous and Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Cousous
• Nueva Cocina Black Bean Soup, Cuban Style
• Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce
• Old El Paso Fat-Free Refried Beans
• Old El Paso No-Fuss Fajita Dinner Kit
• Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
• Old El Paso Taco Shells
• Progresso Soups (Lentil, Hearty Tomato, and Tomato Basil)
• San Giorgio Pastas (Angel Hair, Elbow Macaroni, Rigatoni, Rotelle, and Spaghetti)
• Swanson Vegetable Broth
• Thai Kitchen Noodle Bowls (Thai Peanut and Roasted Garlic)
• Washington Instant Mashed Potatoes

http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/default.asp

Best Pizza Award

~The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again. ~ 
-George Miller

Late night snack.  Quick dinner.  Watching the game.  Frozen pizza is a good thing to keep on hand for those lazy days.  We have tested several, and here are the winners:

The Vegan's Pizza:  Amy's Roasted Vegetable Pizza--full of flavor, good crust, vegan yumminess.  Can top with Follow Your Heart cheese before baking for extra flavor.

The Carnivore's Pizza:  California Pizza Kitchen Sicilian--lots of meat, none of the veggies, good cheese, thin crust. 

Don't waste your money on the other stuff.... these are hands down the best :)

who knew?

~I saw few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand.~
 - Benjamin Franklin

The following list of ingredients to avoid were shocking at first.  I discovered that many of the items in my pantry I thought were vegan were in fact not.  This is something worth printing and carrying in your car for grocery store runs, recipe building, and eating out (for restaurants with ingredient lists).  Thank you to The Vegan Wolf for this information!

A few common ingredients found in lots of "seemingly" vegan food.... to look out for include:

• Gelatin (including marshmallows)
• Casein (calcium caseinate) (Found in soy cheese sometimes....)
• Rennet (Also found even in soy cheese sometimes....)
• Whey (a dairy product found in lots of things... breads, margarine...
  Also look out for :
• Mayonnaise…most contain egg
  
• Pasta…. Some contain egg

Click here for the full list:

http://www.veganwolf.com/animal_ingredients.htm

 

trader joe's withdrawal

 ~Food for thought is no substitute for the real thing.~ 
 -Walt Kelly

I have been very bitter recently. Perhaps it is the cold, cold, cold temperature outside. It might just be gearing up for another semester of hard work, yet still feeling a bit tired and run down from the last semester! However, it seems that I become most bitter when the topic of Trader Joe's comes up--furthermore, just the mention of St. Louis, Atlanta, L.A., New York, and many more cities that I know are lucky enough to possess a TJ's makes me angry.  After living near a TJ's for two years, and depending on their food selection and prices (and 2 buck chuck wine!) I feel like I can't find the same alternatives in standard grocery stores nearby.  Whole Foods does a good job, but the locations are not the most convenient, and the prices are high.

So, here's to you, you lucky TJ neighbors... take advantage of the wonderful store you have access to.  You'll miss it when it is gone!

Below is the link to the page of vegan items available at TJ's.  Many items are Carnivore friendly, which makes it quite worth the money!

http://www.traderjoes.com/attachments/Vegan.pdf

And, if you happen to be near a TJ's, don't forget about this little vegan who would love some goodies brought back to her!