Melt My Heart

You know what I miss?


This.

You know why I don't have to anymore.


THIS.
Vegan Cheese, Cheddar Flavor by Follow Your Heart.

A few days ago, my very wonderful boyfriend surprised me with Vegan Grilled cheese and organic (non creamy) Tomato Soup. Ho. Ly. Cow. Literally. The tofu cow responsible is a saint in my eyes. I guess my BF could be considered venerable as well.

This is the first vegan cheese I have tried, and you know what, its not that bad. It does melt and re harden much like a regular cheese, however when it reaches its melting point: BAM! melted! This is probably due to the oils used, accounting also for the fact that when it melts on your fingers it REALLY hurts. Allegedly.
I am curious to try it in other uses, though I'm pretty much ecstatic about grilled cheese at the moment. I could be uber "Earthy granola" as my dad teases and have a vegan cheese veggie burger next, with a side of backed sweet potato fries and fruit from the local orchard. Wait...

Stay tuned as I sample other varieties of Vegan cheese. Or let us know how you carry on lactose free. If you are looking to find Follow Your Heart or any other brand try patronizing your local Co-op or Natural Food Stores as they will most likely carry them. Some will even make a special order for you! Search Trader Joe's, Henry's, Mother's Market, and Whole Foods... depending on you US locale.

Jello Shots

Grown up jello shots minus the Dixie cup - well some are grown up, a portion of these are non-alcoholic & just plain pretty to look at. Such a cool idea. View website here, cookbook coming in May 2011.

Oldie

These images from dottie angel's blog basically define my existence these days. I've been canning practically every weekend & knitting every second I get for hours & hours (not that this latter activity is new). My new canning obsession makes me long for the days when I can have a place of my own with a big garden. So far, I have made a bunch of applesauce, whose run-off created the most glorious fresh, nothing-added apple juice I have ever tasted in my entire life (I'm making more this weekend). Also, made a bunch of raspberry jam, which came out great & not too sweet. I'm pining to make some cranberry sauce & Boston Baked Beans as soon as I can, so stay tuned for a photo journey through my preserving activities.

Be Kind

I've been meaning to share these for some time, but I keep forgetting or keep thinking no one cares what I eat. I'm a huge granola/granola bar fan. I have to eat like every 2-3 hours or I feel faint, so they make handy on-the-go snacks. However, I'm quite picky & it's only gotten worse since the whole lactose-intolerance thing. I don't like bars that are too dry, too sticky, too crumbly, have too many ingredients, are too sugary, or are too big -that's the worst...it's a snack not a meal for lord's sake.

My dad discovered these at Whole Foods a few months ago on one of those days when they have the people who make the food products there ...yah, Whole Foods rocks on so many levels. They are perfect - a few ingredients & I swear you can taste each one! Perfect size too - I can finish one & be satisfied. Plus, they come in awesome flavors. I particularly like the ones with dates or apricots or mangos. Additional awesomeness factor - they are all gluten free & almost all lactose free & they say so! Makes my life easier.

Visit Kind here to learn more.

Farmers Market

Summer means farmers market time for me & farmers markets mean - besides fresh, local produce - trying new veggies/fruits for the first time. In this case, I didn't only try something new, but I found a whole new veggie I wasn't even aware of before - weird how that happens sometimes. Last Friday, I discovered Kohlrabi & unfortunately I forgot to take any photos of my creation, but you'll have to use your imagination.

Anyways, I saw this alien looking thing at my town's farmers market, asked what it was & for cooking suggestions, went home, did some googling, & ended up with a fabulous new non-mayo cole slaw that is so perfect for summer BBQ's.

Kohlrabi is a kind of cabbage/turnip thing & you can basically do anything with it eat it raw, boil it, bake it...think carrots. I found this recipe for a kohlrabi apple cole slaw with mint {you know how I feel about mint}. It was easy {all it requires is some cutting, which got a little tedious, but nothing too skillful} & super delicious. You have to eat it fast, since the apples don't last too long. Recipe here.

I'm headed back to the farmers market later today! I'll keep you posted on any new finds.

Perfect for those Friday nights...

So, I'm Day 5 into my foray into veganism. I need to cook more, but it's going well so far. I already didn't eat dairy & not a huge meat person, so I just need to increase protein intake from other sources...I'll keep you posted.

Anyways, in my attempt to find vegan recipes I was recommended to VeganYumYum {great website!} by Goldteef. I came across these...which look a little bit {ok- a lot!} above my decorating ability, but I would love to have them on my knitting nights with The Lo Down & Grocery Stores & Fancy Things.

All vegan, but more importantly don't they look too cool!?

Sweetie

I can't get over my sweet tooth cravings this week - perhaps I shouldn't have purchased all that chocolate in the Netherlands {Lactaid & I have become BFFs} & I simply can't put my new read down {I have started on Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility...how crazy is it that I have never read it? I know, I know...}. So, here's a visual that encompasses both of these endeavors.

I love this photo of these sweet treats - I could be referring to the cupcakes OR the stack of books!.

I've spent the last thirty minutes or so enjoying this blog. It comes highly recommended as a lovely way to procrastinate & it's a visual orgasm {think: food porn} in of itself. Hey, just trying to help you best utilize your wasted internet time!