What is a Goddess?

Jokerz vs. Snickers and Mahalo vs Almond Joy!

Jokerz

Mahalo

Having recently read a description of Go Max Go's vegan candy bars and after recently having an insane craving for a Snickers bar, I decided that I must try a Jokerz bar. I have never been a big candy person and eating even a piece of a candy bar can satisfy my desire for one for months. Keeping this in mind, understand that as a teenager, I LOVED Snickers bars. I remember eating one once and thinking, how can anything possibly taste this delicious!? I also love coconut and almonds so the Mahalo bar sounded appealing as well.

The Jokerz bar was my first choice for taste testing. Upon opening the wrapper, I thought that perhaps somebody may have misrepresented the candy bar as a snickers alternative. It does look slighlty different. First bite. HEAVEN. Just what I remembered. It may have even been better than I remembered. I have not had an actual snickers bar in years and I have been told that my food memory stinks...but this candy bar ROCKED. I am not advocating candy bars as a healthy snack in any way. Candy is candy. Yes, this one is made from healthier and cruelty free ingredients but it is still candy. But for a once in a blue moon treat of an old childhood favorite, or something to put in a Christmas stocking, an Easter basket..or heck, even a valentines day package, it fits like a sumptuous vegan glove. ..so to speak, ; )

The Almond Joy version, Mahalo, was my second choice. It was also delicious. It was slightly sweeter than I remember an Almond Joy being. I actually didn't have any desire to finish the entire candy bar in one sitting. A piece here and a piece there was more than enough. I think that was because of the richness and sweetness of the coconut. Making it a great candy bar to share with a friend. I think I am candied out so I don't think I will be trying the other bars any time soon. Based on the two out of four being delicious, I am sure the others will be equally as wonderful.

My overall opinion of Go Max Go! candy bars is that they are wonderful replicas of childhood favorites. That perhaps are even better than their non-vegan counterparts. I think as a once in a while treat or for a special occasion they can be a convenient, cruelty-free indulgence.

Pasta Nirvana!

Jim made dinner tonight. It was truly wonderful. Paired with a nice glass of organic vegan wine and I was truly in pasta nirvana. The man has come a long way baby!

Jim's Mediterranean Pasta

Corn penne with garlic, onions, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, yellow peppers, artichokes, grape tomatoes, capers, olives, balsamic vinegar and red wine. Elegant yet simple...in a word, delicious!

Busy, busy, busy...

The past few weeks have been extremely busy. I have been setting wheels in motion regarding some big decisions I have made recently. First off, I am going to use this time of unemployment to once again work on my cookbook. When laptop #1 crashed a year and a half ago I lost the vast majority of my work. I just kept putting it off after that. I am now in the cooking, baking, writing zone...so to speak. So because of that decision some of my pictures will not be accompanied by recipes. Hopefully a tease to entice you to maybe check out the book when it is finished. ; ) I have also started taking classes again. I am so excited about it I can hardly stand myself. I am definitely one of those people that love to study and learn. I love reading, researching, writing and everything else that goes along with it. I have three, possibly four, goals in mind and I can't wait to do them all! In the mean time here are a couple of pictures from Valentine's dinner.

Tofu Cacciatore with Rosemary Foccacia

Red Velvet Cake with Italian Cream Frosting

10 Essential Rules For Living Your Best Life

I came across this article on facebook and loved it's simplicity and basically common sense rules for happiness. When you think about it they are so true. We all should strive to be our best selves. Smile and

“Dance like nobody’s watching;
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Sing like nobody’s listening;
Live like it’s heaven on earth.” ~Mark Twain

10 Essential Rules For Living Your Best Life

I woke up with a hankering for something delicious for breaky.

I had a mad craving for some delicious, loaded with veggies, tofu scramble. I haven't had it in ages and it is Saturday, so what the heck. : ) The following recipe went over extremely well. It was delicious! I feel that this will feed two hungry people very well...but since there are three of us here this morning, I feel like I want more. Keep that in mind if you try this recipe and double if you need to. It would be absolutely wonderful wrapped up in a whole grain tortilla, maybe with a little hot sauce or salsa for a nice lunch! So if you happen to have leftovers...no problem. : )



Delicious Tofu Scramble

1 T olive oil
1 lb extra firm tofu, (wrapped in a towel and gently squeezed and drained)
1 small red onion, diced
1/4 yellow pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small zucchini, cut into quarters length wise and then slice
1 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced
1 T nutritional yeast
1/2 t parsley
1/2 t turmeric
3/4 t black salt *
1/4 black pepper


Cut tofu into cubes and then slightly mush them as you add them to the oiled frying pan. Add veggies and saute for 5 minutes over medium high heat. Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring well to combine. Cook, stirring often for another 5 to 7 minutes or until veggies are tender. Taste and add more pepper if needed. *If you omit the black salt you may need to add sea salt.


* you can find black salt (it is actually pink in color) at an Indian market or online. It has a slight sulfur smell and adds an eggy flavor to things. It is wonderful for frittatas, quiches and scrambles.

How About Some Yummy Vegan Super Bowl Favorites!

Today I've decide to focus on the Super Bowl. So many people will be watching the game and that means eating lots of good and not so good foods. Here are some tried and true recipes that are perfect for game time for vegans and non-vegans a like. They are delicious and even the most hard core meat eaters will not miss a thing.

The first is Chili. This can be served with over polenta, noodles or rice with all the usual accompaniments. It is filling and super tasty!

Chili with Quinoa and Pumpkin




Next is a black bean nacho salad! Black beans, tomatoes, avocado and a zesty dressing...mmmm, I think I am drooling!

Anna's Black Bean Nacho Salad (an interpretation)




Next come Burgers! Yes, an easy black bean burger that actually stays together and taste great! You can even make these ahead of time and then just throw them in the oven, microwave or on the grill to heat up. A great time saver when you don't want to miss any of the pre-game commentary! ; )


"Hold Together" Black Bean Burgers




and what would burgers be without cole slaw? Well they still would be delicious but the cole slaw is just the icing on the cake! Speaking of cake, I think we need dessert. How about some giant, decadent Kahlua Chocolate chip cookies? The recipe is for 6 giant cookies so be sure to double or triple the recipe for more people or make them smaller but don't forget to adjust the cooking time.

Delicious Vegan Cole Slaw






Kahlua Chocolate Chip Cookies

When you are stuck inside due to Snowzilla ...bake!!

I think bread pudding is so warm and comforting, I absolutely adore it! It is perfect for so many occasions and non-occasions. I also love carrot cake so I have decided to combine the two into a warm, spicy and comforting treat, dessert, meal...whatever you want to eat it as. I mean really, how could you possibly go wrong with that combination of yum, yumminess?



Carrot Cake Inspired Bread Pudding

10 heaping cups bread (cut into cubes)
6 med carrots- shredded finely- If they are not fine enough the pudding will have the texture of having coconut in it. Not necessarily a bad thing...just letting you know : )
5 cups almond milk
1 1/4 cups maple syrup
1 T molasses
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pecans (chopped)
2 t cinnamon
1/2 t ginger
1/4 t nutmeg
2 t vanilla

Heat oven to 350f and grease a good size casserole dish. (mine is about 10 x 10 and 3 1/2 in deep)

Put bread and carrots in casserole dish and toss gently to combine. Add all remaining ingredients to a bowl and whisk well so that it is well combined. Pour liquid over bread, covering it all. If some pieces aren't completely covered, gently push them down with your fingers or a spoon. Let mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until a lot of the liquid has been absorbed. Place in preheated oven and bake for one hour. It can be served at any temperature even straight out of the refrigerator. Warm it is very good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.