Tonight I made the best Thanksgiving dinner I'd ever made! Everything - but the turkey - was Vegan, and delicious! Though the pumpkin pie turned into more of an upside down cobbler... but it was really good.
And I'm just too exhausted, after getting some more Christmas shopping done, to do any more blogging tonight. I DO have a couple recipes, and photos, but if it's all right with you guys, I'm gonna share them tomorrow.
Mmmmm.... those mashed potatoes were so gooooood! I guess vegan cooking isn't such a tough egg to crack, after all!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today was really nice; my family had a change in plans a month or so ago, so they're all together in Atlanta, GA. It would be wonderful to be with them, but it's 14 hours one way - NO stopping - and that just isn't possible. Plus our choir mass is doing a special song, (Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), and as we practiced a few weeks ago, I was asked to direct. Yay! Just another sign we needed to stay in PA for this holiday. So instead of a turkey dinner today, we all went down to Bright Hope Baptist Church, and helped serve meals to those in need. We met some great people, (Tom & Maurice!), and it was a great - though tiring - experience. The kids are worn out, and I feel the same.Tomorrow, I'm not so sure about breakfast - I have a funeral to sing for at 11:00, so I don't think that's enough time to do up a really nice Thanksgiving breakfast. That may have to wait for Saturday, since I'll be trying vegan pancakes for the first time! As for today, sadly, just cereal. I'll encourage Bethany to have some oatmeal tomorrow (blueberry and chocolate chip - yum!), since we're doing our turkey dinner that afternoon.
Once we got home today, I just meandered around outside with Hans (my 11 y/o). He was playing, and I was taking the last of the yard accessories down (the feeders, chimes and such). Pulling the stupid ivy off the back fence - again - and trying to decide on dinner. No one was starving because we'd taken snacks with us, and the let everyone get a plate if they wanted anything. I had packed the last of the spaghetti and some spinach for Bethany, applesauces, and pretzels for everyone to snack on. She also got to try some turkey and cranberry sauce. So, since I had enough time, I put together our hor d'oeuvres that we usually have, and that's what we did for dinner. And it was ALL no dairy, no eggs - I am so proud of myself!
I purchased 2 packages of Thai Shrimp Appetizers (Wontons, Purses and Spring Rolls), a package of chicken Potstickers, shrimp for cocktail (homemade cocktail sauce - horseradish and ketchup; as spicy as you like!), a can of cranberry jelly, and my centerpiece... Spinach Dip with Tortillas, made from scratch, and vegan! Here's the recipe:
Vegan Spinach Dip:
- 4 c. frozen spinach (you can use up leftover spinach, just drain it well)
- 1/2 c. hummus (I mixed 1/2 spicy and 1/2 vegetable)
- 1/3 c. soy milk
- 1 tbsp. Tapenade (pesto could substitute)
- 1 tbsp. crushed garlic
- 1-2 tbsp. dried onion flakes (to taste)
- 1 tbsp oregano
- Chili pepper flakes (to taste)
- Fresh ground sea salt (to taste)
Mix all ingredients in an oven-safe dish with a lid. Blend the hummus and spinach until creamy, then add the milk (you can add more hummus if you want a creamier version). After you add the seasonings, bake - covered - for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. After 10 minutes, stir and taste; add more salt and other seasonings, then put it back in the oven. After 20 minutes, it should be bubbling. Serve it hot with tortilla chips, Triscuits, or any cracker you like!
I hope you enjoy; like Hans and Josh said - it's good, but it would be better with cheese. Well, duh. What isn't better with cheese??? But since that's not an option right now, we figure ways around that problem. Because no egg is too tough to crack!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Day 3. Leftovers.
Hello, all! Bethany and Hans had a half day of school in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday, so they both had some cereal for breakfast, and then came home and heated up leftovers for lunch. I ended up running errands while they did that, and then took Bethany to Brain Balance this afternoon. It was funny; I was shutting off the car because I had to go write a check for the lab work, and Bethany made a face about me coming in. I told her it was only for a moment, but she acted funny, and I finally got her to tell me, "I don't like it when you come in - it's like your invading my privacy!" Which I told her was really funny, since Cody and I paid for her 'privacy' in the program! LOL.
But I understood what she meant; it's her place to go - she's the only one involved, and it's a bit of a territorial issue. Like a Chihuahua with a bone! HAHA... Okay, not really, but it sounds funny!
I realized this evening when everyone was getting ready for bed, that Bethany had all ready finished a large tupperware container of snack-mix I made for her. Almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, and the dairy-free chocolate mini chips; in less than 3 days, it's gone... She said it's gone because it was so good, but still - a little control on the consumption! If only she ate all her vegetables with such wild abandon... <sigh>.
As for dinner, it probably sounds lame, but I took the leftover spaghetti and made Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs, with some extra sauce. That and spinach, with some artisan rolls I found at Aldi (no eggs, no dairy) - warmed in the oven with dinner - and it was a nice meal. I forgot to ask Bethany if she tried the Vegan butter for the rolls... I'll ask tomorrow and see what she says.
Sadly, I can attest to the fact that those warm rolls were delicious with butter. (I feel so guilty).
I hope anyone and everyone traveling for the holidays arrives there and back safely, and that you all enjoy your Thanksgiving dinners - no matter how you're cooking them! I have a Turkey to cook, which I just add seasonings too and baste occasionally in it's own juices and a light spray of EVOO. And I'm going to try my mashed potatoes that everyone likes, but I'll use the Vegan butter, rosemary, chives, salt/pepper, Soy milk, and some hummus. (Maybe a little mayo if I can - I have a couple brands, so I'll have to see if one is made without dairy/eggs. Doubtful). Either way, it will be good. Plus canned cranberry jelly - one of Bethany's favorites! - and black olives, which I think I have. Finally, green bean casserole. I think I'll try and do it up with more soy milk, garlic hummus, and some of the White Bean hummus I got at Martindale's Natural Market in Springfield, PA. Here's a link to their website:
The hummus was great, but what my oldest, Josh, was really impressed with was their customer service and positive attitude. And they have LOTS of stuff! Anyways, I'm just a new customer, but check them out if you're in the area; they're really nice.
So, the only thing missing is a pie, and I have canned pumpkin - so we'll see. Right now, just thinking about baking is draining the last of my energy reserves. Or maybe it's motherhood doing that...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Have fun baking with that tough egg to crack!
But I understood what she meant; it's her place to go - she's the only one involved, and it's a bit of a territorial issue. Like a Chihuahua with a bone! HAHA... Okay, not really, but it sounds funny!
I realized this evening when everyone was getting ready for bed, that Bethany had all ready finished a large tupperware container of snack-mix I made for her. Almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, and the dairy-free chocolate mini chips; in less than 3 days, it's gone... She said it's gone because it was so good, but still - a little control on the consumption! If only she ate all her vegetables with such wild abandon... <sigh>.
As for dinner, it probably sounds lame, but I took the leftover spaghetti and made Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs, with some extra sauce. That and spinach, with some artisan rolls I found at Aldi (no eggs, no dairy) - warmed in the oven with dinner - and it was a nice meal. I forgot to ask Bethany if she tried the Vegan butter for the rolls... I'll ask tomorrow and see what she says.
Sadly, I can attest to the fact that those warm rolls were delicious with butter. (I feel so guilty).
I hope anyone and everyone traveling for the holidays arrives there and back safely, and that you all enjoy your Thanksgiving dinners - no matter how you're cooking them! I have a Turkey to cook, which I just add seasonings too and baste occasionally in it's own juices and a light spray of EVOO. And I'm going to try my mashed potatoes that everyone likes, but I'll use the Vegan butter, rosemary, chives, salt/pepper, Soy milk, and some hummus. (Maybe a little mayo if I can - I have a couple brands, so I'll have to see if one is made without dairy/eggs. Doubtful). Either way, it will be good. Plus canned cranberry jelly - one of Bethany's favorites! - and black olives, which I think I have. Finally, green bean casserole. I think I'll try and do it up with more soy milk, garlic hummus, and some of the White Bean hummus I got at Martindale's Natural Market in Springfield, PA. Here's a link to their website:
The hummus was great, but what my oldest, Josh, was really impressed with was their customer service and positive attitude. And they have LOTS of stuff! Anyways, I'm just a new customer, but check them out if you're in the area; they're really nice.
So, the only thing missing is a pie, and I have canned pumpkin - so we'll see. Right now, just thinking about baking is draining the last of my energy reserves. Or maybe it's motherhood doing that...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Have fun baking with that tough egg to crack!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Day 2...
And again, I find it late by the time I can talk to everyone. But success! Bethany had a healthy, Vegan-esque day, and we have all the pills she has to take. They're actually more vitamins and healthy pills - probiotics, a Vitamin B complex (with C), Lopoic acid, some Aloe Vera (to help with "leaky gut" - that always makes me laugh a little, that phrase!), and digestive enzymes. It sounds like a lot of pills to swallow, and it is - and some of them are BIG. But Bethany, as she has from the beginning of this experience, has taken it all in stride, with grace and quiet acceptance. I'm SO proud of her. She's working so hard, and there are so many layers to all this.
"Onions have layers. Maybe you're like an onion, Shrek! You stink like an onion..."
Sorry; it's getting late, and my mind is wandering. So lets' talk about her diet today.
Breakfast: another bowl of Cheerios and Soy milk.
Lunch: She actually bought lunch today, and they had nachos with refried beans - yum! ("Don't worry, Mom" she said, "I didn't eat any of the cheese!" See? Such a good young lady!) Lettuce, an apple, and some juice.
Dinner: Whole-wheat spaghetti noodles with meatballs (1/2 oz each, Italian meatballs) in Ragu sauce with soy milk added (for creaminess, though I think it changed the flavor in a not-so-great way). And a pound of frozen peas, heated in the microwave. I gave Bethany a piece of Vegan cheese to try with her spaghetti - found it at the local market where I got her Gold Digest enzyme pills - and on its' own, it tasted a bit weird, but she said it wasn't bad in the spaghetti! It just lacked that creamy, firm texture of cheddar - more like tofu. Which, of course....
I'll try to take pictures for the blog of what the dinners look like, if that will help. To explain a bit about what we're doing, this is an act of solidarity. While Bethany has to give these foods up, the whole family will, too. Unless I have a safe alternative for her! And actually, the boys and Cody are being pretty good about it. But we're going to stick it out and pray that her sensitivities can be reversed with all the effort she's making.
As for now, it's too soon to tell. But remember, no egg is too tough to crack!
"Onions have layers. Maybe you're like an onion, Shrek! You stink like an onion..."
Sorry; it's getting late, and my mind is wandering. So lets' talk about her diet today.
Breakfast: another bowl of Cheerios and Soy milk.
Lunch: She actually bought lunch today, and they had nachos with refried beans - yum! ("Don't worry, Mom" she said, "I didn't eat any of the cheese!" See? Such a good young lady!) Lettuce, an apple, and some juice.
Dinner: Whole-wheat spaghetti noodles with meatballs (1/2 oz each, Italian meatballs) in Ragu sauce with soy milk added (for creaminess, though I think it changed the flavor in a not-so-great way). And a pound of frozen peas, heated in the microwave. I gave Bethany a piece of Vegan cheese to try with her spaghetti - found it at the local market where I got her Gold Digest enzyme pills - and on its' own, it tasted a bit weird, but she said it wasn't bad in the spaghetti! It just lacked that creamy, firm texture of cheddar - more like tofu. Which, of course....
I'll try to take pictures for the blog of what the dinners look like, if that will help. To explain a bit about what we're doing, this is an act of solidarity. While Bethany has to give these foods up, the whole family will, too. Unless I have a safe alternative for her! And actually, the boys and Cody are being pretty good about it. But we're going to stick it out and pray that her sensitivities can be reversed with all the effort she's making.
As for now, it's too soon to tell. But remember, no egg is too tough to crack!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Welcome aboard!
As it is with most of my life, I find myself trying to squeeze a watermelon through a wing-nut. Trying to get more things done than is probably useful, but hey... that's my life! The more things I accomplish on my to-do list, the longer the darn list gets!
Right now, it's the end of my first OFFICIAL day of changing my daughter's (family's!) diet for 30 days. She will be - for all intents and purposes - a meat eating Vegan. Ha, right? Last Friday we found out that she has milk, egg, peanut and mustard (seriously? the only condiment she likes?!?) sensitivities, and today started Day 1 of her elimination diet. What this means is for 30 days, I have to change everything I do to avoid those things in her diet. And milk and eggs are EVERYWHERE....
I had really hoped to start this earlier in the day, so I could take more time, but the most important thing was to feed everyone - and get Bethany her vitamins - using the new diet requirements, which I did. She packed a lunch with the leftover refried bean mix I made for dinner the other night, in a tortilla wrap, with Romaine lettuce. Add in juice, natural applesauce, and potato chips, and she was off. She had cereal for breakfast (Cheerios), with the Soy milk I got for her. Bethany says it's not quite as tasty as the Almond milk, but it has tons more benefits comparatively. Once she got home, she had a few Gummy Bears for a treat (since she had to - temporarily - give up her beloved chocolate), and then snacked on the almond/raisins/dried cranberry mix I made her. She needs protein! Speaking of which, it would seem that - as delicious as they are - dried cranberries are an utterly useless food! Tell me if I'm wrong, but there was nothing listed on the nutrition label...
Finally, for dinner my husband, Cody, defrosted 3 chicken breasts for me and washed the sweet potatoes. When I got home, I cubed the sweet potatoes, and cooked them in EVOO with some cinnamon/sugar. DELISH! Once they were done, I plated them up, added a little fresh EVOO to the pan, and fried up the cubes of chicken in Shake-n-Bake that I'd had lying around. Microwave a few cans of spinach, and it was a great dinner. I even got 3 kisses from my youngest, Hans, who foolishly bet the cook that I didn't add cinnamon and sugar to the sweet potatoes. Hmmm... he needs to stay away from Vegas. Forever.
I realize that this still doesn't really say anything about me or why I'm doing this, but it's late, and my brain is done. To quote George W., "I can't thinkificate right now!" LOL
Here's to another day! And remember - no egg is too tough to crack!
-Kris
Right now, it's the end of my first OFFICIAL day of changing my daughter's (family's!) diet for 30 days. She will be - for all intents and purposes - a meat eating Vegan. Ha, right? Last Friday we found out that she has milk, egg, peanut and mustard (seriously? the only condiment she likes?!?) sensitivities, and today started Day 1 of her elimination diet. What this means is for 30 days, I have to change everything I do to avoid those things in her diet. And milk and eggs are EVERYWHERE....
I had really hoped to start this earlier in the day, so I could take more time, but the most important thing was to feed everyone - and get Bethany her vitamins - using the new diet requirements, which I did. She packed a lunch with the leftover refried bean mix I made for dinner the other night, in a tortilla wrap, with Romaine lettuce. Add in juice, natural applesauce, and potato chips, and she was off. She had cereal for breakfast (Cheerios), with the Soy milk I got for her. Bethany says it's not quite as tasty as the Almond milk, but it has tons more benefits comparatively. Once she got home, she had a few Gummy Bears for a treat (since she had to - temporarily - give up her beloved chocolate), and then snacked on the almond/raisins/dried cranberry mix I made her. She needs protein! Speaking of which, it would seem that - as delicious as they are - dried cranberries are an utterly useless food! Tell me if I'm wrong, but there was nothing listed on the nutrition label...
Finally, for dinner my husband, Cody, defrosted 3 chicken breasts for me and washed the sweet potatoes. When I got home, I cubed the sweet potatoes, and cooked them in EVOO with some cinnamon/sugar. DELISH! Once they were done, I plated them up, added a little fresh EVOO to the pan, and fried up the cubes of chicken in Shake-n-Bake that I'd had lying around. Microwave a few cans of spinach, and it was a great dinner. I even got 3 kisses from my youngest, Hans, who foolishly bet the cook that I didn't add cinnamon and sugar to the sweet potatoes. Hmmm... he needs to stay away from Vegas. Forever.
I realize that this still doesn't really say anything about me or why I'm doing this, but it's late, and my brain is done. To quote George W., "I can't thinkificate right now!" LOL
Here's to another day! And remember - no egg is too tough to crack!
-Kris
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