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Monday, November 8, 2010

Goodness!

Oh how easy it is to get behind! This last week has been a whirlwind of school, work, family and of course lots of Vegan cooking! Oh yeah baby, still going strong! Though I have to admit, a couple recipes are definitely not worth sharing. I was having a snack attack a few days ago so we tried some carob chip cookie bar thing. It turned out awful and looked almost as bad. And for some reason, it only now occurs to me that I should have shared a glimpse or two with you. Live and learn. 
So Delicious Ice Cream is now a staple at my house.We've tried Vanilla and Chocolate/Peanut Butter and they are both tasty! 

Chocolate/Peanut Butter is my fave though! It tastes just like Peanut Butter Cups, which, with all the Halloween candy around I had definitely been craving! Speaking of Halloween candy, I am so proud of myself. Any time in the past that I would try to ignore cravings, it usually works for a while but I always end up giving in--and when I do... Watch out! And now, I didn't touch a single thing. I am truly doing something for me and succeeding! I think it has been so easy to give into cravings in the past because I'm "trying to lose weight" which is not only a very vague goal, but also not necessarily something I'm doing for the right reasons. But with this, losing weight is definitely a benefit but I'm doing it for my health, primarily and as a way to challenge myself. It is much easier to say 'No' this way. 
Something new I tried in the last week was eating out. One night was for a friend's birthday at Caffe Molise. They were very accommodating of my requests and took the time to make sure my meal was entirely vegan. I looked at the menu before I went to decide what I could eat. I went with the Gnocchi di Patate and simply requested the cream be omitted from the sauce as well as no cheese on my side salad. Simple! It was a rich and tasty chunky red sauce with fresh basil and pine nuts on top of the warm potato dumplings. So good! And for dessert, though Tiramisu is always tempting, I had a little lemon and raspberry sorbet. Delish! I would definitely recommend this restaurant and plan on going back myself.
On Sunday, my husband and I had a hankering for Mexican food and after driving around for a while only to find everything closed, we settled on La Puente. I asked for fajitas but with no meat, you know, just the veggies. The girl looked at me like I had lost my mind! NO MEAT?! What kind of maniac doesn't eat meat??? And what? No cheese or sour cream either? Ooooookaaaaay....
I got a heaping plate of beautiful and delicious sautéed red and green bell peppers and onions, rice and beans, lettuce, avocado and two fresh, warm tortillas. It was divine! They bring you this amazing hot sauce in a squeeze bottle that I'm guessing is homemade and it was icing on the cake. I am not kidding you-it was fantastic! Unfortunately our meal was cut short by a three year-old's tantrum, ahem, so we boxed it up and took it home and it was just as good as a leftover.
I have truly been surprised again and again at how easy it actually is to be vegan. Like most people, I had always assumed it would be very limited and boring and I was wrong. Especially these days, it seems so many people have food intolerances or special diets which makes a variety of products easier to find and restaurants much more willing to already offer or adapt their menus accordingly. Try it! Even for a day or two. The biggest change is that you have to think a little before you eat, which is never a bad thing. It forces me to slow down and notice what I'm eating and even appreciate it a little more.







1 comment:

crissy // mama boss said...

Aw, you suck! We were going to go to Caffe Molise for our anniversary, but...$$$ So, we didn't go on a date at all. :\
I suppose eating vegan is pretty easy these days, not sure if I'm willing to try it, though. At least not yet...