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Category Archives: Vegan
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes + Traditions
Butternut Squash, Carrot, & Ginger Soup from With Style & Grace Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Shallots with Balsamic Vinegar from Serious Eats Vibrant Tasty Green Beans with Leeks from 101 Cookbooks Kale & Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes from 101 Cookbooks Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa & Herbs from A Couple Cooks Four Ingredient Vegan Pumpkin Pie from Healthy Happy Life . Every year my birthday either falls on or close to Thanksgiving. However, even before I became a vegan, I never really loved Thanksgiving food. I remember my mom making me spaghetti, while the rest of the family enjoyed in all the traditional dishes… very coincidental seeing as though I’m a Thanksgiving baby… So you’re thinking, what about all the vegan holiday dishes- yay, still not a huge fan. I definitely don’t pass up the Brussels sprouts or green beans, but I’m not big on stuffing, tofurkies, or anything crazy. Above are some of the recipes more up my alley =) Although I’m not overly excited about the food, I have loved the tradition of sharing the holiday spirit with birthday festivities. Family time, vino, birthday cake, and football- sounds good to me! What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions?
Crispy Peanut Butter Cups
Last weekend I took a shot at The Edible Perspective’s Peanut Butter Crunch Cups. When I saw peanut butter, chocolate, vegan, and no random ingredients, I knew it was a must try! Although they aren’t as pretty as I’d like, these babies are the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted! And the sea salt at the top, yum-ayyy! Adding the brown rice cereal gives it that crunch and really makes these extra special. . These are extremely easy to make, adaptable to all your favs, and absolutely delicuous- A MUST TRY! . Ingredients Vegan chocolate chips Powdered sugar Peanut Butter Brown rice cereal Sea Salt Directions (from The Edible Perspective) Line a muffin pan. Microwave the chocolate for 30sec increments, stirring after each 30 seconds, until smooth. Spoon a small amount, about 3/4 tsp, into the bottom of each cup. Sprinkle with about 1/2-1tsp of cereal on top. Lightly press into the chocolate. Place on a flat shelf in your freezer for 15 minutes. In a bowl, stir the peanut butter, powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Add 1tbl of the peanut butter mixture to each cup, keeping it centered. No need to spread. Top each cup with about 1 1/4tsp of melted chocolate to cover the peanut butter. I lightly spread the chocolate around with a spoon. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt, or whatever else you like. Let set in the fridge or freezer and store in a sealed container.
DIY Treat Bag
The bf has a huge sweet tooth, so, as the holiday months approach it’s only natural for him to reach for candy. However, since I don’t buy traditional candy he never gets to indulge… (if I don’t buy it, he won’t buy it). Since I didn’t want him to miss out on all the fun, I decided to put together a little sweet treat bag of things we can both share, meaning it had to have things that are vegan and gluten free. He clearly got his way on one of his favorites, hint hint, it’s orange and yellow lol. I love finding yummy treats that are not so bad for you and that cater to my alternative food choices and food allergies… It definitely does the trick! Would love to hear any recommendations you love that are gf and vegan!
Snapshots from this Week
{glitter tape} {the beautiful Sacramento Street} {pulling out an old sparkly skirt} {new blouse and trousers from Gap} {yummy guacamole from Tacolicious} {there tacos are amazing!} { Pasion margarita} We were delighted with sunshine yesterday, so the bf and I headed out for yummy tacos and cocktails. It supposed to warm up over the next couple days, just in time for the long weekend, FINALLY! September, I can’t believe you’re already here, but you’re starting off right! Happy Thursday!
Weekend Recap
Good morning friends, how was your weekend? Much too short, right? … not to mention, waking up to gloomy weather really puts a damper on your early morning wake up call… just saying! The bf and I spent the weekend just as planned; a lot of lounging and relaxing. Friday night we dinned on chips and guacamole at Mamacita and then yummy pizza and vino at Delarosa. Saturday I dragged him to see One Day and spent the rest of the weekend at the farmers market, breakfast in Hayes Valley, cooking dinner, and prepping for the work week. Overall, very lazy but so perfect! p.s. follow me on instagram, Crystalinsf!
Posted in Food, San Francisco, Vegan, Weekend Recap
Tagged Delarosa, Farmers market, Hayes Valley, mamacita, San Francisco
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Weekend Recap
{Believe it or not, my first go at vegan Pho at Mekong. Absolutely amazing!} {Ice cream in Sellwood} {Gelato at Bridgeport} {Visited Multnomah Falls} {aren’t these pretty?} {Met Lucy at the Lake Oswego Hills Winery. Cutest thing alive!} {Cheese and salami plate for everyone else… artichokes for me!} Good morning from Portland! I’m still on vacation, but thought I’d share some photos from the weekend. Some of the highlights; Multnomah falls, which was absolutely beautiful, played a round of mini golf with the kiddos, enjoyed a glass of pinot at the Lake Oswego Hills Winery, and tried yummy Pho for the first time. Oh yes, let’s not forget all the gourmet food Mrs. Nicole has been preparing, fabulous I tell ya! So far, loving every second of our time away! Hope you all had a great weekend!
Posted in Portland Oregon, Vegan, Weekend Recap
Tagged Lake Oswego Hills Winery, Multnomah falls, Portland, vegan pho
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Snapshots From Portland
{the cutest pizza signs} {veggie vegan pizza at pizzicato} {my favorite salad of all time, Chinese Chop} {love me beautiful sunflowers… I swear this is my last shot of these} {yummy snacks} {orange sandals all week!} {giant chocolate chip cookie for the little ones during a shopping trip on 23rd} {AMAZING strawberry sorbet} Here are just a few photos from my time in Portland… I’ll be back next week with pics from Nostrana and Noble Rot and a recipe for healthy granola bars. This weekend I’m looking forward to a trip to Sausalito, visiting Scream Sorbet in Berkeley, and just spending time with the bf! Wishing you all a fun and relaxing couple days off!
Posted in Food, Portland Oregon, Vegan
Tagged pizza, Pizzicato, Portland, strawberry sorbet, vegan
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Summer Eats
{pasta caprese, recipe here} {roasted asparagus with sea salt, source} {pita pizza, source} {creamless tomato soup, recipe here} {lemon orzo salad with tomato and asparagus, recipe here} {tomato basil, recipe here} The minute the weather begins to warm up I instantly think to stock up on fruit and veggies. Knowing I’ll be in a bikini and short shorts means lighter and fresher eating! These recipes scream summer don’t they? So pretty, so fresh, and so perfect for those warm nights. Think I might try the orzo recipe first! What are your favs for summer?
Vegan Chocolate Bark
I’m a huge fan of dark chocolate. Even the smallest portions seem to do the trick! Other than a couple options at Whole Foods (which are amazing btw), it’s hard to find vegan chocolate anywhere period. Since, I like to think my vegan chocolate lollipops were a hit during Christmas time, I thought I would use the same recipe to make chocolate bark. To satisfy both my need for crunch and love of savory, I added nuts and my favorite peanut butter, Trader Joe’s Creamy. The final product: probably the best thing I’ve ever made. I know your thinking, how can you go wrong… well you can’t. This is a favorite of vegan and non vegans… totally worth the 10 minutes. Ingredients: Chocolate chips (you can use whatever your heart desires. I used 365 Vegan Chocolate Chips from Whole Foods) Mixed nuts Peanut butter Parchment paper Recipe: Place 10 ounces of chocolate in a bowl and place in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate, and return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it’s completely smooth. Pour chocolate on parchment paper (in any shape you’d like). Melt peanut butter and spread over chocolate Sprinkle nut mix over chocolate. Set aside to harder (for about 2 hours). Cut up the chocolate and enjoy! Yay, it’s Friday! Wishing you a fabulous weekend! ♥
