January 6th, 2009
Do you know a younger reader, in search of fresh fantasy? Have you heard of the Vampire Island books? The second book in the growing series, written for tweens, is called Knaveheart’s Curse. The heroine of the book, Maddie Livingstone, a seventh grader, is a vegan fruit bat vampire.
Here’s a synopsis from Barnes and Noble.com:
A family of friendly vegetarian vampires stars in this funny story for middle-grade readers.
Being vegan vampires in New York City makes life complicated for siblings Maddy, Lexie and Hudson Livingstone. And this summer, things seem to be taking a turn for the worse for Maddy. She’s been having a hard time making friends, and now she might be losing the one she thought was guaranteed- her sister. Then her brother hears the scary news that the leader of the Knavehearts-the most vicious pureblood vampires-is in town seeking an heir. Could the Knave be after one of the Livingstones? And if it is, will unpopular Maddy be able to find anyone willing to help them face it?
Adele Griffin’s follow-up to Vampire Island is a thoroughly entertaining spin on vampire lore that will make readers laugh out loud.
Image credit: Barnes and Noble.com
Tags: book, tweens, vampire island, vampires, vegan
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By Michelle -- 0 comments
January 5th, 2009
I’ve been a fan of Alanis Morissette ever since she was an angry girl singing, “You Oughta Know.” I enjoy her music, but I’ve also found her to be interesting, as well. I’m not a big celebrity follower, but then she’s not a big celebrity-celebrity either.
Recently, Morissette read the book, Eat To Live, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, changed her eating habits and in doing so, she changed her health in addition to redefining her shape. Eat To Live, advocates eating a vegan meat-free dairy-free diet , which Alanis Morissette says helped her to feel more energetic. She also claims that as a result of this vegan diet, she is suffering from less allergies.
In turning to the Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s program, she was not focused on losing weight, but was instead interested in living a long and healthy life.
Longevity. I realized I want to live till I’m 120. There’s a lifestyle that I am now happily creating that can, as best as is possible, prevent most forms of cancer and other diseases….
I went to my favorite bookstore, Banyen Books and Sound, in Vancouver. I saw this book, Eat to Live, and I thought, that’s exactly what I want to do. I wasn’t interested in some fad diet that was unsustainable, like “lose 10 pounds in two weeks.” I don’t believe in diets; I think they’re short-term and a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. So I opened it and flipped through and thought the weight loss is incidental. The primary focus is disease prevention.
You can read the entire Alanis Morissette interview here.
Book Image Credit: Barnes and Noble.com
Cd Image Credit: Amazon.com
Tags: alanis morissette, celebrity, diet, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, eat to live, vegan
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By Michelle -- 0 comments
January 4th, 2009
I had a big jar of pumpkin puree leftover from the pies I did not make at Thanksgiving and then again at Christmas time, so today I decided to use it for something for Sarah and me. First up, Pumpkin Spice Lattes. For a vegan version of this recipe, skip the cow’s milk, substituting soy or rice milk instead. You can use vanilla soy or rice milk, if you like, but if you do, then skip or cut back the amount of sugar.
Pumpkin Spice Lattes
3 cups milk
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
6 TB sugar
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
4 shots espresso
Heat the milk, sugar, and pumpkin to medium. Prepare espresso. Divide the pumpkin mixture between 4 cups, topping each off with the espresso. Mix gently. Top with optional whipped cream.
Tomorrow I’ll share my Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins recipe. Only a little bit of that pumpkin left…….any ideas?
Image credit: Michelle
Tags: espresso, pumpkin spice lattes, recipe, rice milk, soy milk
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January 3rd, 2009
Are you interested in the latest healthy vegetarian and vegan diet information out of the Mayo Clinic?
The basic message is this - in order to obtain addequate nutrition, you need to be sure to eat a varied diet full of fresh ingredients and whole grains.
Many foods in a tradional meat/milk/egg diet can be substituted easily. If you are vegan, you can replace cow’s milk with a fortified soy, rice, or almond milk. You can replace cheese with soy cheese, rice cheese, or nutritional yeast flakes. Replace your eggs with tofu or when baking, use 1Tablespoon flax seed meal with 3 Tablespoons water. (I use this in a vegan brownie recipe that is really good).
Here are some nutritional specifics:
Read More - Vegan Nutrition Advice From the Mayo Clinic
Tags: calcium, healthy diet, iron, protein, vegan diet, vegetarian-diet, vitamin b-12, zinc
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By Michelle -- 1 comment
January 2nd, 2009
Happy New Year!!
I hope that today finds you fit and happy. I’ve been working on my New Year’s Resolutions. Some of them have carried over from years past (juggling - I never seem to fit it in), but I’ve added some new resolutions, too. Here are a few……..
*I want to move my family away from prepared snacks. We eat too many crackers, gummies, that kind of junk. I went out and bought a bunch of fresh fruit and vegetables. I’m very lucky that I live in California - we always have a good selection.
*I want to try more new foods. We eat the same things over and over. I want to branch out - cook new dishes, new fruits, etc.
*I want to teach my kids to cook. My oldest daughter will be on her own in a year and a half - I want to be sure that she’s able to take care of herself, so that she does not rely on fast food and ramen when she moves out. Learning to cook some basics, I think it’s something that every kid needs to know.
*I’m planning to run a half marathon and ride in a long bike event in the Spring. I’ll need to work on specific diet needs for both events. In addition, I’m hoping to drop a few pounds. Focusing on a sporting event, rather than how I look in my jeans really helps me in terms of weight loss. I like a goal.
How about you? Any resolutions for the New Year?
Tags: cook, fruits, new-years-resolutions
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December 31st, 2008
Do you already have New Year’s Eve plans? If not and you are in the Denver, Arlington, Miami, or Toronto areas, then you might want to attend one of these celebrations.
Going to be in the Denver area for New Year’s Eve? Then you might want to check out the big celebration at The Mercury Cafe. Shanna Katz of the Denver Vegetarian Examiner says,
Located at 2199 California St. in Denver, the “Merc” as it is locally known, is a restaurant and dance hall of sorts, 100% organic, and run by wind and solar energy. Its owners and servers are some of the most interesting and amazing people you’ll ever meet, and ethical practices are their number one priority.
The food? Well. Ridiculously good. Not only are the dishes mostly veggie friendly (with lots of vegan and gluten free options too), but they’re very creative as well. I love when I have a hard time choosing between three or four delicious sounding options, instead of going with the default vegetarian option.
How about Arlington, Virginia?
Singles - Vegan Potluck
Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 7:00pm until the wee hours
Please bring vegan food or beverage of your choice to share. Plates, paper goods, cups, flatware, etc., will be provided. Dance or play parlor games if you wish. There will be a wood fire in the fireplace and the traditional countdown at midnight. Costumes very welcome but optional.
Note to the allergic: Elizabeth has 6 cats, who will be sequestered; the whole house has an advanced air-filter system.
For a reply with directions, RSVP by December 29, providing full name and telephone number (required), to Elizabeth at iceonthewind@msn.com.
In Miami there’s a party located at……..
Vegan New Years Eve Party and Brunch
Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin
73 NE 167 St, Miami, FL,
786 - 210-8787
The Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin is having its first New Year’s Eve celebration!! Ring in the New Year with healthy fun. Tired of not being able to fit in with the right social crowd? Want to ring in the New Year comfortably and chil-laxed with like-minded people of the same healthy lifestyle and diet? Start your New Year off with a Resolution Bang! The Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin presents a New Year’s Eve event Un-wine from 2008, live for 2009; a completely responsible drinking environment: an enforced concept with non-alcoholic beverages, vegan prepared dishes and raw food dishes for those that want to eat to live, not live to eat. Bring a date or come mingle with other vegan singles. After enjoying the festive night before, sober up with more fun at our New Year’s Day Vegan Brunch, a resolution fit for vegan Queens and Kings! The New Year’s Eve Party is from 7 pm to 2 am December 31st and the New Year’s Day Brunch starts at 10 am on January 1st Call (786) 210-8787 for more information
There’s a combination Party/Fundraiser in Toronto, Canada……..
New Year’s Eve Meditation & Celebration Fundraiser
Ring in the New Year with Sandra Itenson Sweetman at Toronto Sprouts & Support the Paradigm Shift Project.
Held Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 8:30 -12:30am
This event is for all ages. For more information and ticket prices, click here
Image credit: All Posters.com
There’s a combination Party/Benefit in Toronto, Canada………..
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By Michelle -- 1 comment
December 29th, 2008
My son received some Every Man Jack male grooming products for Christmas. The line includes shampoo, body bars, moisturizers, and shaving kits - anything you’d need for male skin care. Every Man Jack products contain no tallow, no parabens, no dyes, no SLS, and are never tested on animals. They are available at Target and are very reasonably priced. Max likes the Cedarwood scent and he uses both the body bar and the face lotion.
Max has very sensitive skin and over the years, I’ve purchased all sorts of skin care products in an attempt to clear his acne or avoid some sort of rash. One mistake that people with acne sometimes make is that they dry their skin out in an attempt to do away with pimples. Skin needs balance, it needs moisture. Max’s face looks much clearer after using the moisture lotion. If you know someone with sensitive skin or someone who is looking for some great-smelling, inexpensive grooming products, then tell them to take a look at their local Target or the Every Man Jack website.
Image credit: Every Man Jack.com
Tags: body bar, every man jack, Products, skin, skin care
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By Michelle -- 4 comments
December 28th, 2008
Eliza, at She Knows Coupons, is offering a $20 gift card for Save-A-Lot markets. If you would like to enter, visit the post here and leave a comment letting Eliza know what you’d like to see on her site. She’s interested in offering information that is relevant to her She Knows Coupons readers, so let her know where you like to shop, what you like to buy, and she will help tailor her blog to meet her reader’s needs.
New Yorkers, have you ever eaten at Tiengarden Vegan Restaurant on Allen Street? Click here and get a 20% off coupon for your next visit.
Do you use any of the Organic Valley products? If you’d like to save some money onOrganic Valley Soy Milk, Organic Milk, Cheese, or Cottage Cheese then click here.
If you are going to be in Pasadena, then check out this coupon good for a vegetarian meal at Pita! Pita!
Sam’s Mediterranean Kabob Room, in Monrovia, features some tasty vegetarian options. Click here for your coupon.
Tags: coupon, vegetarian
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By Michelle -- 0 comments
December 26th, 2008
Christmas morning is always fairly hectic around my house. Yesterday morning was an exception. My kids slept in until 10:30 am. I’m serious. Santa’s special treats were waiting under the tree and they just kept on sleeping. I took advantage of the break to make sure the tree looked extra pretty, then I chatted with some friends, talked to my sister on the phone, and checked on the kids. Again. And again.
Finally, they were up, the presents were opened and the time for breakfast was past - we were well into Brunch territory. I decided to whip up a casserole dish - I could clean up the wrapping paper while it baked. Multi-tasking - something I do whenever possible.
My recipe featured this….
Yum! I love Morning Star Farms Sausage Patties, but you can use any meatless sausage that you like. This is a vegetarian, not vegan recipe, as it includes eggs and cheese.
Vegetarian Sausage and Egg Brunch Casserole
I package meatless sausage, thawed and broken into small pieces
1 cup onion, chopped
2 Cups cheese (I used Sharp Cheddar)
1 TB Dijon Mustard (a brown mustard would work great, as well)
6 Cups bread, torn into pieces (I used sour dough)
11 eggs
salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 350
Saute the onions in a small amount of olive oil. Lay the torn bread into the bottom of a rectangular baking pan that has been greased with oil. I used a 13×9 in cake pan. Lay the onions over the bread. Lay the cheese evenly over the onion layer. Lay the sausage pieces over the bread. Whip the eggs, the mustard, the salt and pepper with a wisk. Pour the eggs over the whole thing, then push and smush it around a bit so that you are certain that all the bread has soaked up the egg mixture.
At this point, you can put plastic wrap over the casserole and refrigerate for up to 12 hours, or you can lay a strip of foil loosely across the top and bake it for 45-50 minutes.
Serves 6-8
My kids and my mom, who was visiting at the time, loved it! No leftovers whatsoever. Sleep the first part of the day away and you wake up hungry.
Good morning image: All Posters.com
Morning Star Farms image: Morning Star Farms.com
Tags: bread, brunch, busy, casserole, cheese, eggs, kids, onion, sausage, vegetarians
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By Michelle -- 0 comments
December 24th, 2008
Looking for some last minute holiday meal and snack ideas? I know I am.
I tried very hard to be organized ahead of time, but unfortunately, our family pet, a guinea pig named Whoobie died yesterday. He started acting very unlike himself the night before and I had to feed him with a syringe, because he would take no romaine (his favorite) or water. My oldest daughter, who is his main person, is out of town with her boyfriend’s family. She hasn’t returned home yet and I did not want to tell her when she was not with us. She’s going to be very upset. I’m so unsure in this area, this is our first furry friend loss. I want to ease her somehow, but I’m not sure that will be possible.
Whoobie was such a sweet little guy and we were very lucky to have been loved by him. A truly wonderful friend and family member.
My point is, I’m a bit distracted today. I’m very sorry. Here are a list of some great vegan and vegetarian recipe ideas that I’ve found and I hope that you find something special for your family
Besides pizza is one of my new favorite blogs. Kay and her mom prepare and try out some truly yummy dishes. This is the Chex Mix recipe that they prepared for Kay’s last day of school before break, but then school was canceled and she got to get an early start on vacation. Yay!
This is where you can find the Ginger Cookies that Kay made for her mom when she wasn’t feeling well. That Kay, what a great kid!
I found these recipes at Post Punk Kitchen last month for Thanksgiving, but they would be good for any holiday gathering. Find Isa’s holiday menu here and her Chickpea Patties here. In addition, one of the members at the Post Punk Kitchen Forum made this really cool bread turkey.
Bryanna Clark Grogan has a lot of great recipe ideas, including an eggnog recipe. Yum. I’m a big eggnogg-er. The menu starts here.
I wish you and your family happy holidays - whatever you celebrate. Take care!
Image credit: All Posters.com
Tags: menu, Recipes, vegan, vegetarian
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