ORANGE SMOOTHIE

This week has not been an easy one so today I am recharging my energy center with nourishing food, crossing things of my long to-do list, and spending time doing what feels good. It is always good to step away from a stressful day/week/moment and reflect on re-centering. I know I tend to just keep plowing forward through life's madness and I burn myself out. So quiet days like today are a little healing for the soul! One of the things I have been waiting to try is a sweet potato smoothie- sounds weird right? But I love sweet potatoes so this sounded like a little glass of heaven!

Ingredients:

1 banana

4 slices of baked sweet potato

cinnamon (to taste)

hemp seed 

1 cup coconut milk

 It was frothy, light and delicious- I will definitely be working this one into the mix more frequently.

And for an update on my 30 day pilates challenge- I am happy to say that this week was my half way point! I am feeling amazing and noticing that the routines that were kicking my tail a few weeks ago are feeling less challenging (as in, I can get through them a little more gracefully and with less cave woman noises and cursing). I am down 5 inches total and I can actually see a difference. I think the before and after photo reveal is going to be a lot of fun!

What are you looking forward to this weekend?  Phase Two of spring cleaning has been calling my name, I am thinking some more purging is in my near future ♥

THIS V. THAT

Today I posted a picture on Instagram of my 'Splurge' meal from the weekend. Whats my definition of a splurge? Pretty much any meal that has a higher calorie count, and maybe a naughty food, like fries! My meal consisted of a vegan black bean burger with a big salad and fries- when I calculated all of the calories and nutritional values I got curious at how it would measure up against fast food. My big plate full of food was only 50 calories more than a single Big Mac! Crazy! and Awesome!

It got me thinking about the food choices I make- and the choices that everyone makes! Every piece of food that passes our lips is a choice. Even though my splurge meal was larger and heavier than a lot of my dinners through the week I still felt good afterward. Now had I swung through the drive thru would I have felt as awesome? Probably not.

Since changing my diet over to a cleaner one my body reacts a lot differently to processed foods- its an almost immediate discomfort. I am acutely aware when I have strayed too far from my healthier habits, and I am so grateful that my mind and body are on the same page. I wasn't always so intuned, I ate all sorts of crap and never realized that feeling crummy was directly related to the foods I had ate.

So what choices are you making these days? Are you choosing processed, fatty foods or are you actively seeking healthier alternatives? Do you think about what you are eating and how it makes you feel afterward?

I challenge you this week to be mindful of how you feel after your meals- you don't even have to change your diet, just think about how that food has made you feel and how it has nourished you. Did it nourish? Or do you feel heavy and tired afterward? Then try adding in a light healthy meal, maybe its vegetarian or maybe you choose a leaner meat than usual, balance it with a grain and veggies and watch your portions. Pay attention to how that meal makes you feel.

Once I started noticing differences between the foods I was eating it became a lot easier to maintain a healthier lifestyle, saying no to processed foods at the grocery store was no longer a challenge. I actually crave fruits now and salad is hands down one of my favorite meals! I'm not saying I am perfect- I still have moments of weakness. But when I stray it is a lot easier to get back on track these days. Let me know your choices these days, and if you play along with this little challenge I would love to know what you discover! ♥

clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 

GLACIER V. WAVE

Over the years I have found that I am a chronic sufferer of the 'Whats Next Syndrome'. It has proven to be both a blessing and a curse. I am a person who likes change, sitting in one place for too long makes me antsy. Whether its a physical place or a mental state my natural disposition is to evolve. The issue is I don't always know what to evolve towards. I have also found over the years that this can be a rather emotionally painful conundrum when the answers are coming more slowly that the desire wants.

When I look at these pictures I can't help but think ... who is this? who is posting these photos of super food smoothies, bendy yoga poses and Pilate's challenges on my blog?! A mere 8 months ago I had not done a back bend in years, 12 months ago I never thought I could give up dairy let alone cheese! 10 months ago I was posting personal style photos and crafts, 7 months ago I started a healing journey that I had no idea how it was going to work. 14 months ago I had a melt down about the seemingly directionless state of my life.

And there is today.  I am happier. I am stronger. I am more bendy. I am healthier. I have a brighter look on life. Thankfully this space has grown with me- my life has expanded to welcome new experiences and as I keep working towards my 2014 goal of living more fearlessly I know there are more uncharted territories to be discovered this year. But lately the issue hasn't been the lack excitement of starting something new or the willingness to let go. Its been that I don't know what to do. Which direction do I take? Whats my next big adventure? How do I know?

In 2014 I have already joined an instagram yoga challenge, a 30 day Pilate's challenge, faced my aversion to blenders and started playing with super food smoothies, tried a handful of new foods, changed the pace of this blog, and am gratitude journaling daily. I have fearlessly faced my inner issues and failure, inadequacy, and insecurity, though a daily battle, I am facing them. So whats the next conquest? Where do I leap, how do I grow more?

Everyone's life journey is so different. They go at different paces, different directions, develop different perceptions. To find your own voice can be scary in itself, let alone find it among a billion other people. You can follow others for only so long before you realize your legs are strong enough to carry you on your own- they have a spring in them ready to launch into the unknown.

Today I don't know what is next. I know I am ready for bigger things, face something a little larger, get a little more out of my comfort zone. Acknowledging I am ready for a challenge is a solid first step- it grounds me. The answer may or may not be simple- maybe I am meant be more like a glacier and slowly change through life and not so much like a wave crashing from one thing to the next.

These are just some open ended questions that have been swimming in my brain the last few days- growing pains are a bummer but they in fact lead to much greater things. Patience and humbleness are key to waiting for answers.

But in the meantime, if you are waiting for answers like I am here are some super easy recipes for you to try/change/make your own- the foods are pictured above! This is pretty typical fare for my days off and are easy, quick, and delicious!

Super Smoothie
1 Banana
1 cup Coconut milk
1 cup Blueberries (or any berry on hand, really)
2 tbs Hemp seeds
1 scoop Amazing Grass Superfood powder (any flavor)

Fruits n' Greens Salad
2 cups mixed greens (pictured is kale, spinach, romaine)
1 cucumber, cut
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
1 kiwi, sliced
2 tsp Hemp Seed
2 tsp Chia Seed
2 tbs Non Dairy Ranch (because its soooo good)

Happy Weekend, friends ♥

KICKING OLD FOODIE HABITS

Every now and then I have a terrible time with eating clean. I seem to endlessly crave foods I have long cut out- like mac n' cheese, and I'm not talking about the kind made with Daiya ;) I am always in a state of progress- not perfection- when it comes to eating and I know that I am way better than I was even 6 months ago, but it doesn't make days like these any easier. Since changing my food habits in August of last year I have had plenty of opportunities to practice techniques to get me through the rough spots. Sometimes old habits just die hard but here are my go to's to keep on track...

Address why you are craving- Is it a situation? Emotions? Sometimes we find ourselves really wanting a cheeseburger and beer when we are out with our friends because that is what we used to do together. The comfort of the familiar and emotions tied to people and situations can be powerful. A lot of times simply acknowledging how we are being affected gives us enough power to make changes.

Try a new healthy snack option- peruse the aisles of your health food store, find a new recipe for clean sweets, or try a new fruit.

Have a stash- have one at home, the office, your car, wherever you find yourself getting cravings. Put healthy snack options that are your favorites and you know will help satiate the want to 'go crazy'. Don't let unhealthy options be easier to obtain than the healthy ones.

Have a small serving of what you are craving- not everyone will agree with this, but I have had  successful experiences with this method. Are Cheetos your weakness? Get a small serving, eat them slowly, and as you do, pay attention to how this junk food makes you feel compared to your healthy snacks. I guarantee you that you will not feel awesome after this- it actually helped turn me off to some of my old favorites!

Find clean food/ healthy habit inspiration- Thank goodness for Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and blogs. Sometimes flipping through a Yogi's instagram feed or searching clean food photos on Pinterest are enough to motivate me and inspire me to stick to it.  Especially when you find a role model that consistently inspires you- this can help remind you of what it means to you to eat clean and take care of yourself.

Whatever method I go with to kick a craving I always go right back to clean eating! Its not about guilt tripping yourself. I used to be very critical of myself when I would fall off the bandwagon and that honestly made me slip up even more! I have to love myself during the good and bad and remember that every day is a step closer to being a happier and healthier me ♥

NATURES BOUNTY

I thought  changing from vegetarian to vegan was a big adjustment- it took a lot of thought, pre-planning, and research... and clearing of the pantry. Lots of clearing of the pantry! But as the obsessive evolver that I am, I obviously was looking for the next step to better health despite my just feeling comfortable with veganism. So in comes eating raw. I do it in the simplest of manners- no dehydrators, nothing fancy. Just me and natures bounty. I get organic when possible, and have been branching out to try things that intimidate me- starting with tropical fruits.

I never want to not try a fruit or vegetable because it intimidates me- I come from the corn, potato, and meat region of America and I never want to find myself pigeon-holed into that mentality. Picking up a new fruit every time I am at the store, like passion fruit or a papaya has slowly opened my mind and expand my palette for a new array of flavors. I found that I really love passion fruit, it was an amazing surprise (and here I was intimidated by its looks! Goes to show, don't judge a book by the cover) and I learned I really am not a papaya fan- however I am looking forward to using it in summer smoothies!

Not everything is readily available for me that I want to try but I will travel a distance to obtain it, simply for the joy of trying it! I am on the hunt for some durian, fresh figs, dragon fruit, star fruit, fresh coconut, and I definitely want to branch out to some new greens- I tend to purchase kale, romaine, and baby spinach on the regular. There are so many options out there! Being more open minded and willing to taste a variety makes me more grateful for nature, feel nourished, and honestly, I just feel better from the inside out!

What are some fruits and vegetables you have tried that were not the norm for you? Loved them or hated them? And I will gladly accept recommendations! ♥

BAKED APPLES

A few weekends ago I was craving something sweet but still healthy. I had a basket full of apples and thought it might be time to try baking some! After a quick google search I found a simple, low maintenance, almost no clean-up recipe thanks to Wenderly.

Here is how to make your own:
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
-Slice apples into thin slices- I used my slicer and then thinned them some more
-Place apples on individual squares of foil
-Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. I did this with out measuring but the original recipe uses 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

Wrap up the apples into little pouches and place on your baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes until apples are soft and glazed.

 And that is it. Simple, delicious, and much better than a candy bar ;)

Happy Baking ♥

BREAKFAST IN BED

If we weren't traveling this weekend I would definitely be making pink pancakes. Lucky for the mister I thought ahead and made him some this past weekend (his even had dark chocolate morsels! Now that's an act of love). In hindsight, I could have been a bit more generous with the coloring but they were delicious anyway. Everything tastes better in shades of pink and red ♥

SIMPLE SALAD AND COMPLEX EMOTIONS

A client of mine shared this easy and time saving method of jarring your salads ahead of time- its pretty genius! Put all of of your heavier veggies in first (I did cucumber, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower) and then add your greens (I did shredded leeks as well). When you are ready to nosh simply add dressing, shake, and pour onto a plate! I made 5 days ahead of time and am loving how easy it is to grab and go in the morning.

This past weekend I had an awakening at the grocery store. Odd, right? I know. It was a slow and steady awakening and I think I finally just gave in to really reflect on the change that has been happening within me.

Grocery shopping used to be a simple weekly chore that just had to be done. Make a list, make the time, and get it done. I never gave it much thought. I bought what was familiar and never paid much attention to others carts.

It all seemed so simple until I started my food journey a little over a year ago. Until I equipped myself with the knowledge of the food industry and started educating myself on what a healthy diet should really look like. And now grocery trips have become this strange emotional roller coaster that I wasn't prepared for. Experiencing a gamut of emotions from frustration, pride, sadness, anger, hope. Frustration that organic is hard to come by at my local big box grocer and expensive; Pride that my cart is typically full of leafy greens and bright produce by the time I hit checkout, and that I had budgeted to do so. Sometimes I experience sadness- as I look in others carts and see processed, sugary, chemically engineered foods and very little of the natural goodness I've come to look for. And I have to wonder if the owner of that cart doesn't know about healthy eating? Do they know they deserve healthy food? Do they not have the finances to provide their family with wholesome food? Knowledge is power- and I so desperately want them to know the joy of an organic apple!

And I get angry. Angry that natural food is not the norm for many. Angry that I too, fall victim of choosing a product because it is easier or cheaper. I know better! I want everyone to know the better options are and have the finances to fill their kitchens.

But at the end of the day I know I simply have to accept all of those feelings. They are all a part of how I have come to be where I am. And I have to move on to being hopeful. Hopeful that one day everyone will have the knowledge I have, and then some! Hopeful that people will start to vote with their dollar and choose healthy natural items over engineered. Hopeful that everyone will know what it tastes like to eat natural food, not depend on milk and dairy, and treat the world with more kindness.

It wasn't until this past weekends trip to the store that I let myself sort through all of this that I had been feeling for awhile. I have decided that it is definitely better to experience these waves of emotion than to feel nothing at all. I choose passion over complacency any day. Have you ever had an awakening over something that once seemed so simple? ♥

JUICE / RAW CLEANSE

When you are trying something new, either diet or fitness, a routine or whatever, sometimes it can be hard to see the changes taking place. We get so caught in the moment, the bigger picture can seem out of focus. And we will drop it sometimes, because we don't realize how good it really was for us!

This is what happened to me when it came to eating a vegan diet. I stepped back from it a bit in December, let myself loose in a way, and didn't think much of it. Until this past week I started to take note of all the physical and mental differences that have occurred over the last few weeks: broken out skin, lack of mental clarity, and lethargy to name a few. I wasn't OK with these steps 'backward'.  So I resolved this weekend to do a 3 day cleanse of homemade juices and raw fruits and vegetables. Hoping to jump start my body into going back into the lifestyle I didn't even acknowledge was doing me so much good.

So the plan- 3 juices a day. 2 servings of raw veggies and 2 servings of fruit. Herbal tea, water, and hot lemon water constantly. I wanted to do juice only but was concerned with working weekends I wouldn't be my best self, so the decision was made to work in raw plants. I read up on both cleanses and felt a hybrid would work just as well!

Juicing isn't all fairy dust and good health, its kind of hard work! Here are some of my juicing best practices that might help if you're new to the juicing game:

Clear out fridge and make a list-  You will need lots of space when you get home from the grocery store! Gather your recipes (I used the 3 day reboot with Joe guide) and create detailed lists. Also account for any fruits and veggies you don't want to juice.

Juice in small batches- a lot of people out there say to juice fresh, but my schedule doesn't allow that. So I store them in airtight jars and they still taste great a day later!

Prep Prep Prep! I wash, peel, cut, and dice everything and divide into bowls for each juice (Hello, Type A juicer!) according to the recipes. 

Enjoy- Nothing tastes quite like a fresh juice. Try a variety of colors and play with the balance of fruits and veggies. Its easier to enjoy fruit juices where as leafy dark green juices can be an acquired taste- but if you visualize the goodness it goes down much smoother ;)

What are your juicing successes/ best practices?  ♥

TEST KITCHEN: FAVORITE SALAD OF THE MOMENT

Mmmm Mmmm I love salad. I love it so much I actually crave it. I go through phases with salads, sometimes I like them savory with nuts and creamy dressings. And sometimes I like them sweet with berries and fruity vinaigrette. And sometimes I like a mix of the two- like this salad that I have been making for the last 3 days straight. Its a slight obsession ...

Super simple ingredients: Baby Spinach, Sprouts, Avocado, Blackberries, and a little balsamic vinaigrette.

In line with wanting to eat more raw everyday this has been a go-to for lunch and a great side with dinner. What are some of your favorite salad combos? ♥

TEST KITCHEN: UMEBOSHI PLUMS

Bringing to you another 'What the ... ?!?' food. You're welcome.

I first read about these 'magical' plums in Alicia Silverstones Kind Diet, as I try to trust her word even on the strangest of additions to my kitchen I went on the search for these plums that are packed with nutrients.

For some back story- Umeboshi plums come from Japan. They are pickled through a year long process that helps preserve and change their natural properties into a super food. Known for aiding in digestion, helping with nausea, and alkalizing the body (hello hangover help!) these plums are a pretty important part of Japanese food culture.

My carton of these plums have been sitting in my fridge for about a week- I was curious but still unsure of actually tasting one. I wasn't sure what to expect, from what I read they are sour and salty and that didn't sound too appetizing. But after our holiday weekend of over eating and indulgences I thought my system could use a little pick me up. So I bravely took one out and bit in.

OMG.

Its like eating pure salt. Consider this your warning.

But the mystical transformation that was promised held true- I did in fact feel better after about an hour or so. I can't explain it, you can just feel it!

Later I read that the Japanese serve it with rice (will probably help with the salty shock) and sometimes cook with these in dishes for flavoring. I gathered 3 recipes to try with this round of plums. But I am convinced- they are potent and they work!

So next time your feeling the post holiday 'blechs', drank too much, or need a boost in general, run to Whole Foods and grab a carton of them, and let me know how it goes ;) ♥

TEST KITCHEN: VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

I had every intention of baking a vegan cake from scratch for my birthday. I really did. But then the weekend rolled around and honestly, the couch seemed more like my jam for the day than the kitchen. So my cake was from a box. However, I still wanted to share with you what would have been an amazing cake from Martha Stewart's kitchen! (so technically today's Test Kitchen is Martha's Test kitchen- I trust the Queen of all things domestic has done it right ;))

Ingredients:
3 cups organic unbleached white flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups natural cane sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 teaspoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 2 cups water
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons cider vinegar

Directions:
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and sugar. In a small bowl, mix together the oil, espresso, and vanilla extract. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a wire whisk until well incorporated. Add the vinegar and stir quickly. There will be pale swirls in the batter as the baking soda and vinegar react. Pour equal amounts of batter into the two cake pans and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes. Flip cakes onto wire racks and cool completely.

 And I thought my cake didn't turn out so shabby either- I am a sucker for pink frosting and sprinkles.

I am enjoying my first morning of being 27 flipping through photos of the last few days, practicing my yoga, drinking hot tea, and writing in my Gratefulness Journal. A perfect Tuesday morning. And I may or may not have had a slice of this for breakfast this morning, but shhh, that's between us ♥

THE POWER OF SEEDS

Who knew that such small little pieces of nature could be so full of nutrients?? And they are like the easiest thing to add to any recipe, as their flavors are typically subtle. Here is  a quick breakdown of my favorite 4 seeds to keep on hand in the pantry ...

1. Chia seeds are amazing because they carry Omega 3's and lots of fiber for their minute size. Chia seeds have been credited with boosting energy, stabilizing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and aiding in digestion (aka helps cleanse the colon, great for helping in prevention of colon diseases!) These little guys are packed with calcium, manganese and phosphorus (helllllooo bone health) You can thank the Aztecs for being the first to harvest these healthy seeds. I like to add mine to salads and oatmeal!

2. Sesame seeds have been used since ... well, forever! Egyptians utilized these seeds as one of their harvests. Considered a huge benefactor to cancer prevention these seeds are loaded with manganese, copper, iron, phosphorus, and calcium. I started layering this seed in more since practicing a vegan diet because the amount of calcium in a tablespoon of sesame seeds out ranks that in a cup of milk- win! Sesame seeds are great on salads, in stir frys, and toasted to be sprinkled over veggies!

3. Sunflower seeds aren't just a great snack for road trips and baseball games. These seeds help in controlling cell damage which is essential to preventing cancers. A source of Anti-oxidents, Vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium, and copper. Add them to salads, stir frys or straight from the bag.

4. Poppy seeds are most commonly found on baked goods and breads but these seeds are easily hidden in recipes to add nutrients. A single tsp provides measurable amounts of calcium, iron, and zinc. Throw some in your blender with smoothies, add to oatmeal, stir frys, or any dish really!

Once you keep these on hand you will realize just how easy it is to add them to your usual dishes, and you'll start to see the amazing benefits that they will provide for your body and health! ♥

sources: healthyeating.sfgate.com // care2.com

THERE ARE FOOD DISASTERS AND THEN THERE ARE FOOD DISASTERS

This was the beginning stages of what could and should have been a beautiful serving of black eyed pea croquettes. I felt inspired Sunday to roll up my sleeves and keep trying recipes out of The Kind Diet and gosh darn it- I didn't even come close to forming those perfect little fried nuggets.

I have never claimed to be good in the kitchen- in fact I didn't actually start 'real' cooking until a little over a year ago. And I would never trust myself to create my own recipe- how does one even make one?! The idea of blending flavors and creating correct measurements is beyond my simple cooking minds capacity. But I digress.

So anyway, when I started to fry these croquettes, and they started disintegrating in the pan and the whole apartment started to smell like burned ... well, burned croquettes- my inspiration faltered. My excitement turned into a little gray cloud over my head and I half heartily dumped what was left of the mixture to try one last time.

It still failed. So then my thoughts go naturally to how much money I wasted, how bad the kitchen now smelled, and why oh why is it so hard to fry some freakin' beans?!

Tell me I am not the only one to have a kitchen meltdown over something so trivial as a new recipe?

I think the universe was testing me this weekend. We had just committed to positive thinking and cooking is one of the skills I have struggled with the most but so want to conquer and do well with. And here I was, letting my whole attitude deflate and start in on all the negative thoughts.

It wasn't easy to turn that frown upside down but I mustered up enough mind control to start problem solving for the next time and to not beat myself up for not knowing how to do something that I had never tried before. That's just silly. Lesson learned? Figure out how to properly fry something before you start dumping things into hot oil (insert cheesy grin emoticon here).

So have heart my culinary skill lacking friends, when it all goes a-muck, cut yourself some slack. Learn from the experience and don't let it discourage you or rob you of inspiration. Behind every one of my recipe reviews there are at least one or two fails, and though I get frustrated I like to think I am just going to keep getting better despite it all ;)

Happy Cooking ♥

VEGAN TEST KITCHEN

This past week I made a super food plan before grocery shopping and am trying 5 new vegan recipes! I was so excited to dive in I started with this Polenta Casserole from Alicia Silverstones book The Kind Diet this past weekend.

First of all- this was my first foray with Seitan (also known as 'wheat meat') and honestly, not a fan. I am not a fan of many imitation meat options so I am not surprised, but if you miss your meat- you will probably love this. If this not your thang- fear not, I think this recipe would be just as good in the future sans this ingredient or perhaps with beans? Something worth trying out!

You will need:
1 1/2 cups polenta
1 head of cauliflower cut into large pieces
1 cup peas
1 cup of corn
6 asparagus spears cut into 1" pieces
1 (8oz) package of seitan
1/3 cup soy milk
1 1/2 teaspoon roasted sesame tahini
1 1/2 tablespoon shoyu
2 teaspoons umeboshi vinegar
1/4 cup chopped parsley
tiny bit of sea salt

To Make:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Pour cornmeal into a large pot with cauliflower chunks, salt, and 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and cover, simmering for 30 minutes and stirring frequently. 

In a casserole dish that's 8x8 or more (I had to use an 8x8 dish PLUS another small dish), start layering! Place the seitan on the bottom of the dish and then cover with corn, then chopped asparagus.

Once the polenta has simmered for 30 minutes, remove it from heat and add tahini, milk, soy sauce, and vinegar. Mash until the mixture has the same consistency of mashed potatoes. Add parsley and thawed peas and mix well. Pour this as the next layer. Sprinkle with soy sauce. 

Put in oven and cook for 40 minutes. Let cool a bit and serve. 

Serve with a salad and you have a complete meal!

I was intimidated by a lot of ingredients in this recipe but with the help of friendly grocery workers I found everything I needed at my health food store- so be brave and try it out!

Happy Cooking! ♥

TASTY TUESDAY

Ok so best vegan chili might be boasting a lot but let me tell you- I crave this chili year round. I reserve it for the colder months and you may have noticed it made it to the No. 1 spot on my Hello, October list! By saving this recipe for when the temps dip it makes it more special and something to look forward to!

I adapted this recipe from Lisa Lillien's Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt Free Eating in the Real World.  Not a vegan cookbook but I have found most of her recipes are easily adaptable! Most of the adaptations I have made are to please the Mister who is not as open to endless vegetables in his chili, but at the end I have additional options to add in and I do double up on the beans- makes this meal the perfect go-to comfort food!

Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 bag Bocca Crumbles or other meat substitute
1 1/2 cup chopped onion
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 large orange bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp ground cumin

To Make:
Place tomato sauce, chili powder, and cumin in a large pot and stir over low heat. Once heated add the garlic and continue to cook for about 5 minutes,

Add Bocca crumbles and allow to cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until they have softened and any frozen chunks have separated. Add the rest of your veggies and cook covered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Other additions you could make ...
Diced Tomatoes
Chilies
Jalapeno
Corn
Carrots
Mushrooms

If you choose to add the carrots you will want to cook until they have lost their crunch, this can take 1-2 hours.

Easy and delicious, just the way we like it here at Camp Fair and Square ;)

Happy Chili making! ♥

SHOPPING WITH A CONSCIOUS

I love that 'green' accessories have evolved from hemp and birkenstocks to cute stylish ones that at a glance you might not suspect were eco-friendly! As I am shopping more consciously I also have to think about what I am shopping with- how many plastic produce bags do I throw away in a week? Ziploc baggies are not my friend and excessive usage of plastic in the kitchen and lunch bags goes against my newly affirmed beliefs. So whats a girl to do? Find a solution that fits my style of course!

I already shop with large shopper bags but some of these totes were too cute to pass up. Here are some of my favorite finds, starting at the top left ... the prints and bold colors of the Baggu bags are amazing- especially the Shelter print. I enjoy the clean look of the canvas totes and rope produce bags at Eco Bags - chic and easy to clean.  And don't even get me started on the prints on the snack and sandwich bags at Reuseit- and I really loved the Have a Nice Day tote.

I am thinking of adding some larger totes, grain and produce bags, and snack size bags to my collection. The hard part will be actually choosing which ones ;)

Happy Shopping! ♥

TASTY TUESDAY

Brussel Sprouts get a bad rap- probably because as far as veggies go, these guys are a kids worst nightmare. Just too vegetable-y. But these guys are yummy if cooked up well and full of nutrients like Vitamin C and A, B-6, Iron and Calcium.

I whipped these up one day for lunch, it was quick and easy and served with rice it makes a filling midday meal!

You will need:
Brussel Sprouts
1 Shallot
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup water
Salt and Pepper 

Heat oil over medium high and sautee the Brussel Sprouts for about 8 minutes. I added the shallots around 6 minutes. Once they are a nice golden brown around the edges add the water and cook until water has almost evaporated. Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

Enjoy! ♥

TASTY TUESDAY

Its Tasty Tuesday again! I think I am going to have to do all my 'blog cooking' on the weekends because these evening photos are the pits. But hey, you get the idea.

Thanks to the creative foodie Emma on A Beautiful Mess I have discovered the world of Infused Olive Oil. Sounds pretty swank, right? I love making things like this at home- it makes it easier to not eat out! I made a few changes to her original but here is how you make this super simple but pretty fancy olive oil ...

You Need:
8oz olive oil
4 garlic cloves
3 springs of rosemary

Place all items in pan over medium high heat. Warm for 6-8 minutes and then strain out ingredients. Pour what you will use and then store what is left in an air tight container. Serve with Balsamic Vinegar. 

Yum! ♥

TASTY TUESDAY

When you choose Vegan you must start to think about everything you consume.  It is just the facts of Vegan-ism. It was kind of an ah-ha moment for me that this goes for your beverage as much as your food.

It is easy to drink your almond milk, juice your fruits and veggies, and drink your 60 oz of water a day, but what about your alcohol? And now you're probably thinking- how is my booze not vegan? Well, friend, let me tell you. A pretty common part of the process is to strain that delicious adult beverage through fish bladder. Chicken by-products and gelatin may also be used. Gross, right? Aaaand maybe not so delicious.

So the key is to find breweries, distilleries, and wineries that choose to do their business in an animal friendly way! Obviously your bottle isn't going to let you in on any of its secrets so you have to do some research. But fear not, I come to you with another handy database! (Don't you just love modern technology?! Thank you google!) Barnivore is a pretty awesome site that allows you to enter your favorite wine, beer, or liquor and they will tell you if it is vegan friendly and will even break it down for you if that brand has different flavors (using honey is a no go- sorry Blue Moon Summer Ale). I searched a few of my favorite brands- happily most of them turned out to be good choices!

So before you head out to pick up a bottle of vino for your dinner party do a little research and vote with your dollar for kinder beverages ... 

Cheers! ♥