Product Rave: Vegan Fruit Snacks!!!

First up: Trader Joe's Fruity Flakes:

These are usually my first choice because there is nothing in there but basically pure fruit. They use a special process that compresses the fruit into tight little chewy squares. There are 3 varieties if I remember right, but I'm partial to watermelon! These are Vegan, which is hard because many fruit snacks on the market contain gelatin. I even found a package that said "Beef Gelatin". That just doesn't even sound good, even if you WERE a meat-eater. There are 6 pkgs, and the box will run you about $3.

Next: Annie's Organic Bunny Snacks:

These are my son Camden's favorites, because he LOVES the bunny shape. He will bring the box to me and say "Bunnies". These snacks rely on the use of fruit pectin to be chewy and gummy. The texture of the snack is addictive-they don't stick to your teeth like most fruit snacks. These are pricier, at $3.99/box at Target, and there are 5 pkgs in a box, as opposed to 6. Just something to keep in mind.

Now, if you excuse me, I'm off to chase bunnies!

Mushroom Spinach Wrap

Bad picture...but I was in a hurry to eat! Tonight is MasterChef season finale, Top Chef season finale, and Top Chef Just Desserts season premiere! It's Foodie Heaven! Tonight was simple-Mushroom Spinach wrap with a whole wheat tortilla.

*1 pkg sliced mushrooms

*1 diced onion

*handful of cherry tomatoes, halved

*fresh spinach

*vegan margarine

*dill

*salt

*white cooking wine

**Throw diced onion and some vegan margarine into a pan, and start to saute.

**When onions start to turn translucent, add your mushrooms, dill, and a splash of white cooking wine.

**Cook down until mushrooms start to brown. Add the fresh spinach and tomatoes.

**Cook down until the spinach starts to wilt.

**Top the tortilla with your mushroom mixture.

**Last step: NOM NOM NOM!!!

Product Rave: Trader Joe's Shampoo and Conditioner!

Rave Time!!!

I made my 1st trip to Whole Foods approx. 3 months ago! I looked at the specialty shampoos, especially ones that were animal-free. They were higher in price than I was happy paying-8.99 on up each! So I decided to check out Trader Joe's! I found animal-free, cruelty-free shampoo and conditioner, for $2.99 each! Even less than Herbal Essence! It is Sodium Laureth Sulfate free-that is SUPER harsh on your hair. Let's start with the lather-this shampoo feels like no other shampoo! Smells amazing, has a slight tingle that actually was sort of relaxing-the conditioner went on smoothly, and has the same tingling, relaxing effect. It rinsed away without feeling greasy-my hair felt SO good! I have been using it for the past month. I have always had super thick, wavy, frizzy hair. My hair is SO smooth and silky looking now! My husband loves how it looks-he always wished my hair was a little more manageable so I could style it better, and I think this is the trick! It is such a comparable buy compared to other brands such as Suave, Dove, Herbal Essence, and you are supporting Cruelty-Free products AND and store chain that provides options such as these!

Vegan/Gluten Free/Soy Free Cornbread

This recipe is great for those with any food allergies! I modified an existing recipe and it turned out uber good! The addition of the flaxseed gives you some natural fiber and it's chock full of vegan-friendly Omega-3 Fatty Acids. And it's way easy-mix it up, set it, and forget it! (haha get the informercial reference?)

You will need:

*2 TB ground flaxseed

*6 TB water

*1 cup Corn Flour (you can substitute AP flour, but the cornbread will no longer be Gluten-Free, and the Corn Flour gives it even more Corny-ness!)

*1 cup cornmeal

*1/4 cup vegan sugar

*4 tsp. baking powder

*3/4 tsp salt

*1 cup unflavored Almond Milk (Can substitute Rice Milk, Coconut Milk-Soy milk if you are not worried about Soy allergies, or even regular milk if not Vegan)

*1/4 cup canola oil

*1 TB agave nectar (or honey for the non-vegans, and this is optional)

**Preheat Oven to 425 degrees.

**Spray 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray

**Bring water to boil in small saucepan. Add the flaxseed and simmer for 3 mins. or until thickened and set aside.

**In medium bowl, combine rest of ingredients and beat just until smooth!

**Pour into pan and bake for 20-25 mins or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

**Let cool, and ENJOY!

Try with vegan/vegetarian chili, tomato soup, or all by its pretty self! You can also drizzle some agave or honey on top and go to town!

Salisbury "Fake" Steak

Sadly, we devoured this goodness before I thought to take a pic. I know the title sounds disgusting but it was super yummy, easy, and a nice change of pace from our vegan diet, in the fact that it was substantial and felt like the real thing!

You will need:

*1 packet vegetarian Onion Soup mix-some contain beef broth so make sure to check the ingredient list!

*2 cups water

*6 Morningstar Breakfast Patties-not sure if these are vegan. I had some in my freezer I had gotten awhile back.

*2 TB vegan margarine

*1 TB flour

**Start by making a roux-melt the margarine and SLOWLY add teeny bits of the flour and whisk in to incorporate. If you dump all the flour in to begin with-lumpy gravy. And lets face it-No one likes lumpy gravy >.<

**Combine the Onion Soup mix with the 2 cups water in a separate Measuring Cup.

**Then, add the Onion Soup/water mixture to the pan with the roux, whisking until combined.

**Microwave the Morningstar Patties until mostly thawed, then add to gravy.

**Let gravy simmer for about 10 minutes until it starts to thicken to desired consistency.

----->VOILA! Salisbury Fake-Steak

I served it over a bed of Brown Rice with a side of Broccoli. It was FAB! Now I know how great it turned out, I am ready to make it again, adding fresh onions and mushrooms. As Emeril would say - "Let's kick it up a notch!"

I pinky promise next fabulous post will contain pictures. I'm new to this whole "blogging" thing. At least it gives me an excuse to use my pink camera. That's right. Pink. Jealous? o.O

Hello, World! *big hug*

After drooling over hours and hours of Food Network, cookbooks from the library, and other food bloggers, I have done it. TA-DA!!! Cue me actually digging out my camera, recording my adventures in the kitchen with newly discovered vegan recipes. I also can appreciate the culinary aspect of non-vegan foods, and this is to celebrate all things foodie and glorious! Let the adventures begin!