Insanity and no sugar

I have embarked upon a new challenge for the next 30 days. No sugar and a 6 day a week workout plan. Some of you might think NO SUGAR- how will I survive?  I am not really sure how we actually survive ingesting the amount of sugar that we do.  I went to eat a piece of vegan jerky and that even had a form of sugar in it.  I can't have my usual Starbucks soy latte as a treat because they don't have unsweetened soy milk. I think I'm done complaining now.

The benefits of not eating sugar for me are an even more conscious look at what I'm eating.  I have already noticed that fruit tastes sweeter and I am inspired to eat more and more of it. Last night I made a post work out smoothie with watermelon, coconut water, and ice that was better than any milkshake I've had.

Now onto the intense part. I am doing the insanity work out.  I am not sure if you are familiar with it.  Basically you get your ass beat for 6 days and then you get to rest one day.  I will be posting updates on my progress. I am hoping to inspire others to work towards fitness goals.

In the past year I have quit smoking cigarettes (last October), endured a chemo therapy treatment for 8 months and now I intend to get my strength and health back to a positive place!!! I believe in the power of positive thinking for healing.  There is no reason and no place for negativity in life! 

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have.  Make the now the primary focus of your life." Eckhart Tolle

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Vegan Dinner Party Success

I did it!! The non vegans loved my vegan taco party! There was only was unsure eater and her least favorite was the chorizo seitan that she referred to as meat.  All of the plates were cleaned and in some cases the diners even went back for seconds.  I must tell on myself and say that it was not all made from scratch.  This girl is still learning and if I can grab a can of re-fried organic black beans..well then a girl has to do what a girls gotta do..for now.  I am open to learning and I am excited to!! Here are the unsuspecting diners!!

On the menu is a blue corn taco station and spicy brown rice. My amazing friends brought over dessert in the form of Coconut Bliss and pieces of vegan cake and pie from Whole Foods!!

Ingredients:
3 ripe avocados
1 red onion
2 cloves garlic
1 medium bunch of cilantro
2 medium tomatoes
Tofutti sour cream
Blue corn taco shells
Teese cheddar (shredded- I finally got a cheese grater!!)
2 bags Brown rice (yeah yeah yeah I know I used instant brown rice. That is just how I roll)
3/4 cup Vegetable broth
romaine lettuce
hot sauce of choice
2 packages Chorizo Seitan
2 cans Refried black beans
paprika
salt & pepper
cayenne pepper

Start by chopping veggies.  I chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lettuce and put them in bowls in the refrigerator.  Next I started on the guacamole. Mash 3 avocados in a bowl.  I added a  handful of tomatoes, a pinch of cilantro, a half of a clove of garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Ahhhhh I sound like my grandma. She used to measure in pinches and handfuls.  I guess it was passed down to me.  My next project was the rice.  I precooked the bags and placed them in a pot with the veggie broth, teaspoon of paprika, half a clove of garlic, half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and salt and pepper to taste.  Let simmer for 20 minutes.  Just a couple more quick steps.  I then heated a pan to medium high and added a tablespoon of olive oil.  I cooked the seitan in that pan for approx 5 minutes. Last but not least I opened the two cans of beans and evened them out in a saucepan.  I then added my shredded teese and placed the pan under the broiler for a few minutes.  I left the oven on warm and added the taco shells until everything else was ll set.  So easy and so good.  My guests arrived and I said "there are the plates make some tacos"!!!

This was a huge success. People were saying this is all vegan for real?  This is sooo good. I think I could eat like this.  Two of the women brought me flowers and since they did not try to take them back at the end of the night I must have done well.  My friends are very honest.  I respect that the most in any relationship.  I want both my strengths and weaknesses pointed out so that I can utilize my strengths and challenge myself in my weak areas.

My goal is to make more items from scratch at my next dinner party!!

 

My first dinner party

Tonight is my first dinner party since becoming a vegan in the beginning of May.  Well actually it is my first dinner party ever.  I would never have cooked before becoming vegan.  It seemed way to overwhelming.  I have been inspired to over come my fears.  With each day is a new possibility.  Today's possibility includes cooking dinner for four non vegan meat eating women.  I am making blue corn tacos and spicy brown rice.  I will be posting the recipe tomorrow .... along with the results of my first dinner party.

Luckily I am a klutzy chick who does find it necessary to take myself too seriously. Although I did get a text from one of my friends telling me that she does not like avocados and that I should consider changing my menu for her.  Let's see how she reacts to vegan sour cream and teese cheese.  This will be fun and entertaining.

Easy vegan flat-bread pizza

                          Products:
                          Gardein chicken strips
                          Teese
                          Bacon seitan

Date Night

Last night was date night. It was my turn to pick so naturally I wanted to got to my favorite place Inn Season Cafe in Royal Oak.  I have never had a meal that I wasn't still talking about the next day. Last night was no different.  I knew we would have to wait at least a half an hour for a table so when my boyfriend announced that he was already hungry as we pulled out of the driveway I secretly took an extra long breath.  Hungry and my man do not mix well.  I knew it would be all worth the wait once we took the first bite.  We sat outside on a bench chatting in the 85 degree Michigan heat still smiling as much as possible.  I was in the mood for a veggie burger. I kept seeing them on instagram all week and I could not get the image out of my head long enough to stop drooling!!!  If you have not been to this place go as soon as you can. AMAZING!

Tempeh Burger with daiya cheese and avocado...yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I could not help myself as I slathered on vegan mayo and ketchup..messy and spectacular

Vegan Treats- four year old and non vegan approved

Snack Attack

I love snacks and these are in my top 4 for this month! 

Leftover Party

Easy Portobello Pizza

Last nights dinner can be transformed into a healthy quickie. As a rule I try not to be wasteful.  As another rule I have noticed that I make too much food.  This was my solution to both of those choices. 

Ingredients:

2 organic portobello caps

2 slices teese sharp cheddar (or whatever flavor you love...it comes in mozzarella too)

yesterdays  portobello marinara 

Lay portobello cap on a plate.  Layer sauce on top.  Place teese slices over sauce.  Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds.

I know... a microwave (gasp) I said quick and healthy. How can you argue with a meal prepped and ready to eat in under 5 minutes????

Simple quinoa pasta and portobello marinara

Quinoa Pasta and Portobello Marinara

Yes yes I know it is so so hot out and I am posting this. Sometimes even in the summer heat I love some warm comfort food.  It is after all like winter in my office with the ac on. This was so easy to make and it came out great. 

Recipe:

1 package quinoa pasta- I used ancient harvest pasta from Whole Foods

1 jar organic marinara - I used 365 Organic from Whole Foods

1 package chorizo seitan- I used Upton Naturals because I love love love it

4 strips of seitan bacon chopped into pieces..again I used Upton Naturals

2 large portobello caps sliced
1 clove of garlic chopped

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

spinach, kale, green pepper or any other veggie you want is optional (I was lazy so I went minimal)

Heat stove to medium high. Once the pan is hot add olive oil. Add chopped garlic clove and sliced portobello caps. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until the garlic is golden brown. Saute chorizo seitan for 3-4 minutes, then add bacon seitan. Saute all of this for another 4-5 minutes. Adjust temperature to medium and add marinara.  

Boil 6 cups of water for pasta and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to water. Once the water is boiling add the pasta.  The box said 7-9 minutes.  I found that it took about 12 minutes for the pasta to be cooked through.

Drain pasta and add sauce. Simple vegan deliciousness.