luscious lemon cupcakes and three legume quinoa

delightful. i enjoyed making these cupcakes as much as i did eating them.

lemon in the midst of winter is a great pick-me-up.

 ♥

the vibrant color and citrus scent tickle me pink and inspired me to add raspberries to the icing. raspberry and lemon - need i say more?

many thanks to the lovely candice of chia seed me for sharing the recipe, and ms. isa, author of vegan with a vengeance for creating animal-free gems.

above is a quick quinoa i threw together with ingredients i had on hand. it went over with our friends just as well as the cupcakes and was really simple to make.


three legume quinoa

1 C quinoa, rinsed well
2 C filtered water
1 C cooked kidney beans
1/2 C fresh or frozen shelled organic edamame 
1/4 C fresh or frozen peas
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
italian seasonings, to taste
salt, to taste
olive oil

in a large saucepan over medium, heat 1-2 tsp olive oil and garlic a minute or two, stirring often.

add rinsed quinoa and toast about 5 minutes, stirring often.

add water and bring to a boil. cover, reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes.

add seasonings and legumes. cover and simmer 3-5 more minutes. quinoa is ready when all water has been absorbed and grain is "fluffy".

this salad is delicious served warm or chilled.

note: for a "crunchier" quinoa, use a bit less water. i usually cut back a tablespoon or two.

optional: add olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar. top with raw or toasted almonds or pepitas before serving.


+ highlighted hearts under an image indicate photos not taken by me. click for the source.

i can't take it.

the cuteness.

it's just. too. much.

comparing my creations and photos to memi the rainbow's leaves me feeling a bit nerdy.

but alas, i am a bit lot nerdy... and that's ooo-tay!

'sides, emma and eddie are pretty cool, no?=)

do you embrace and love your inner-nerd? do you let him/her shine?=)

well ya should. i do, and it's just super!;)

since we're on the subject...

seven nerdy facts about me:

+i don't own a working tv.
+i do watch reruns of pete and pete online.
+the best film i've seen recently was an old documentary on the amish. loved it.
+i went through a phase of total book obsession. i fantasized about the library and read while walking. through stores.
+in 5th grade, i organized my 90210 posters in a binder by cast members, favorite to least favorite (dylan to andrea - though i was most like andrea, hehe=). 
+also in 5th grade, i wore big purple glasses that were super-glued twice in the middle. i loved those specs.
+as long as i have a cd collection, ace of base stays.

disclaimer: i am in no way labeling fans of the aforementioned nerds. accept maybe ace of base, but only if you're american.=)

share your nerdiness! what is something you do/say/wear that may be considered "nerdy" by the mainstream?

c'mahhhn, let 'em shine!=)

note: i allow the seven facts to fulfill the requirements of two awards i've received (most versatile and most stylish blogger). thanks rick 'the health sleuth' and ashley of taste for healthy and backyard bliss! i pass both awards along to everyone, because you're all pretty awesome in my book;)

music monday: with a child's heart

this song was introduced to me at a young age by my father, a man with great taste in music.=) he added the ballad to some home movies my grandfather captured. i've always loved the innocent feel of the piano, the tinkering bells and michael's young voice. as i got older, the lyrics began to touch me as a gentle reminder to enjoy the present moment, as children so naturally do.



michael jackson: with a child's heart

With a child’s heart
Go face the worries of the day
With a child’s heart
Turn each problem into play
No need to worry
No need to fear
Just being alive
Makes it all so very clear

With a child’s heart
Nothing can ever get you down
With a child’s heart
You’ve got no reason to frown
Love is as welcome
As a sunny, sunny day
No grown up thoughts
To lead our hearts astray

Take life easy
So easy
Nice and easy
Like a child
So gay and so carefree

The whole world smiles with you
As you go your merry way
Oh, with a child’s heart
Nothing’s gonna get me down

everything but the kitchen sink

oh heck, i'll throw that in too!=)

these are my babies veggies getting a bath. when it's not organic csa season, the veggies get a nice liquid soap-nut soak.

though i was fortunate to find organic oranges and lemons at a fair price, these were still soaked and rinsed before going in my lemonade pitcher (the one i received from the lovely hanane).

i've learned a trick for super tasty lemonade - add lots of lemon zest! i also added an orange and some coconut water. 

the other night i had my friends and former vegan cooking class teachers carol and lisa over for a meal of raw pizza, salad, and coffee ice cream.

this time i used the ice cream maker carol got me at a yard sale. the outcome is really not much different then freezing it in a container, though the ice cream maker speeds up the time. it was ready in about 30 minutes. if you have the patience, an ice cream maker is really not necessary!

no picture again - sorry! it's like i'm afraid it's going to melt and disappear or something. i do have a pic of the pickies i served before our dinner: hummus with just like ritz raw crackers, falafel and lime chips.

cashews and sunflower seeds subbed the hemp seeds i didn't have called for in the cracker recipe. everyone liked the "buttery" crackers, though i think i will use less salt next time. they're almost too ritz cracker-y.=)

the other day i captured some cute moments with bubby and evie focused on painting...

cooking...

and saving the world! (the cap and goggles make up his "superhero costume".=)

xoxo

snow fun

 my niece alaina

and fur-nephew, mr. bear

 i'm gonna throw snow at youuu

 

oh no you're not!

ahhh!

what? it was self-defense!

♥

coffee coconut ice cream with irish moss

utterly delicious, and dairy-free!

1 1/4 C strong black coffee
1/4 C coconut flakes
1/2 C young coconut meat
1/4 C coconut water
3 pitted dates
3 heaping T irish moss gel
1 T raw coconut butter
1 T maple syrup
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
love


blend first two ingredients well. add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. process in an ice cream maker or simply place in freezer, stirring every so often.


top with raw chocolate shavings and enjoy the buzz!


if coffee isn't for you, replace with water and add a bit more vanilla, to taste.

+

2 oz soaked irish moss
1 C water


rinse irish moss well and soak overnight in the fridge. chop into pieces and process in a high speed blender until completely smooth and gel-like, stopping to scrape down the sides. store in fridge about a week or so.


+nouveau raw posted a great guide for irish moss gel here.

++edit: here is a great source for raw irish moss. (pure joy planet)

efoods global

you may have noticed a new logo on the right of my page for efoods global.

john and i are investing in food to ensure we always have quality, gmo-free nourishment. through some friends we heard positive things about efoods global and decided to try it for ourselves.

if you're interested, you can order a 6-meal sample for free (shipping costs $10).

we tried the tortilla soup last night and thought it was really tasty! a bit high in sodium as it is on the saltier side, which they are working on, but overall very good.

the food is:
1. GMO-free
2. all vegetarian (any reference to meat is plant-based)
3. good for 15+ years!

unfortunately, not all meals are dairy- or gluten-free, though some are. i've contacted efoods global about putting together all-vegan or all-gluten-free (or both) packages and will let you know what i hear back.

dairy-free
• Minestrone Soup
• Pasta Fagoli Soup
• Italian Chicken Soup
• Vegetable Beef Stew w/Potatoes

gluten-free
• Creamy Potato Soup
• Cheddar Potato Soup
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Tortilla Soup
• Corn Chowder Soup
• Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
• Au Gratin Potatoes

you can go to their site to learn more. i'm not crazy about the video as it depicts earning a large profit as the primary goal, which it is not for us. like i said, i'm ensuring my family (and others interested) quality food during tough times.

if you think of ordering, we would greatly appreciate it if you ordered through our link, which will give us a small commission. thanks a bunch!=)

music monday: dream

priscilla ahn: dream

I was a little girl alone in my little world who dreamed of a little home for me
I played pretend between the trees, and fed my houseguests bark and leaves, and laughed in my pretty bed of green

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest swing
I had a dream

Long walks in the dark through woods grown behind the park, I asked God who I'm supposed to be
The stars smiled down on me, God answered in silent reverie. I said a prayer and fell asleep

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest tree
I had a dream.

Now I'm old and feeling grey. I don't know what's left to say about this life I'm willing to leave
I lived it full and I lived it well, there's many tales I've lived to tell. I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now to fly from the highest wing

I had a dream

sunday lunch

after a breakfast of kombucha and coffee (not together), john and i went to our favorite organic juice cafe. (ok, it may be the only local juice cafe, but we love it.=)

unfortunately, it's not animal-friendly. the only animal-friendly places i know in my vicinity use gmo's, and are very far from raw. it just makes more sense to make these things ourselves at home... but it's also a nice break to go to animo juice!

for me, the house salad with hummus, sprouts and sunflower seeds, with a shot of wheatgrass and lime light (carrot, apple, celery, lime, ginger).

(crap photo. my apologies!)

john had a pb and j with bananas and the garden state (apple, carrot, greens) .

do you take advantage of the local organic places in your area? are you limited like us?

who's david icke?

the video i posted yesterday was sent out in a david icke newsletter. some of you may remember when i posted about seeing david in new york.

so who is david icke?

we interrupt your daily program...

for 9 and a half minutes of deprogramming.

snow in the city

after downing a fresh juice, i bundled up and took a walk to the delaware river.

it was nice to get out... peaceful to hear the birds, wind and water... sweet to see children playing in the snow.

note to self: take more walks

healing

hello there... long time no post!=)

until today, i hadn't been feeling like myself. it's like i'm fighting something. i've been super sleepy and COLD (guess it's just that time of year). on top of that, i've been experiencing uncomfortable heartburn. i battle the best way i know how - with lots of rest and healing foods (and also letting the house go to sh*t.=)

below are some things i've been feeding myself. i've also been taking echinacea, elderberry, raw vitamin d, goldenseal, and drinking warm miso/ginger soup. 

green smoothie

(that's oscar, bubbie and evie's cute cat)

salad with mushrooms, chopped date, almond slivers, balsamic vinegar and oil

coconut chia pudding with raspberries

(blended coconut meat, coconut water, chia seeds, irish moss gel and nut milk)

 raw pizza crust with a black bean spread

(cooked black beans, raw tahini, nutritional yeast, cayenne, cumin and lemon juice)

 vegan split pea soup

so i'm happy to say today i had lots more energy and tackled almost all of the chores. my heartburn symptoms have let up, plus another snowstorm is on its way, which means i get to sleep in tomorrow. hey, it's the little things!=)

my spirits were lifted when i received this lovely postcard from lela in estonia! great timing, i'd say. lela has a pretty blog called touching the sky is easier for birds, where she shares her thoughts, vegan food and postcrossing postcards. lela's photos have inspired me to take a trek in the snow tomorrow with camera in hand.

what's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

simple soup, salad and smoothie

our eats at home have been on the simple side lately... lots of fruit, salads, cooked soups and grains, smoothies and juices... while last year saw me a raw gourmet chef in the kitchen, soaking and dehydrating my tail off! (don't fret my raw foodie friends, i foresee more romps with raw cuisine in my future...=)

below are some stand-outs... a particularly scrummy soup, salad and smoothie recipe to guide you in creating your own animal-friendly deliciousness.

feel free to tweak these recipes (or any for that matter) to create a dish suited to your stock of ingredients and taste. don't have/care for turnips? add more potatoes/use parsnips instead! want to swap apple cider for balsamic vinegar? do it! cook intuitively - you may be pleasantly surprised with what you create!

potato-carrot-turnip soup

adapted from this recipe

(serves 4-6)

4 potatoes

3 carrots

2 celery stalks

1 turnip

1 clove garlic

5 1/4 C water

2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp rosemary

1/4 tsp oregano

pinch nutmeg

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper, to taste

splash of vinegar (optional)

dice veggies. in a large pot, saute first 6 ingredients with olive oil and allow to cook about 5 minutes, stirring often. add water and remaining ingredients. bring to boil, cover and simmer about 10 minutes. carefully pour hot soup into blender or food processor and puree until smooth.  

maple-balsamic-dijon vinaigrette

over a bed of mixed greens with green apple and pecans

2 T olive oil

1 T balsamic vinegar

2 tsp maple syrup

2 tsp dijon mustard 

1 or more garlic clove, minced

mix well and enjoy the yummiest dressing ever.=)

carrot-ginger super smoothie

serves 2

2 bananas

1 apple

1 large carrot

1 celery stalk

1 T chia seeds 

1/4 of one cucumber

small handful goji berries

fresh ginger root, to taste

blend all with filtered water until smooth.

happy 1/1/11!

♥