Fast & Easy Valentine's Day Desserts-Part 1, Blogger Meetup, Pottery Pickup

Hi Bloggie Friends!  How are you doing today?  I'm doing great because I just came from a blogger meetup with Maureen of MommyRD.  We actually met at the same coffee place that Madeline and I meet at for our coffee dates.

But the difference was that Maureen came with baby Ava.

Skylar thought it was pretty cool that there was a "baby" there.  As if she's "so old" now, considering we just had Skylar's 3rd Birthday Party last week and all.

Here's Skylar noshing on her snacks and hamming it up.  With Fashionista Barbie nearby.

And here we all are

It was lovely meeting Maureen and Ava and we can't wait to get together again, soon!

So moving along... 
Do you have Valentine's Day Plans?  Sadly, there will be nothing too exotic or special going on around here.  The days of Tiffany's Blue Boxes and dozens of roses are behind us.  Getting excited over cheap organic produce and trying to save money by shopping at TJ's while hoping Skylar gets the hang of this potty-learning thing fairly soon because diapers are expensive is kinda more our speed these days.   Oh not to mention, Scott's traveling later in the week so that alone  absolves him from having to plan anything special means that plans won't get made.  Oh well.  And I honestly don't care.  The lack of any nice plans makes my Valentine's Day Desserts seem extra special when stacked up against, well, nothin' else goin'. 

Before I get to that, just wanted to thank everyone who chimed in with the comments on the Vegan Fudge & Food Rules post.  Your thoughts about Michael Pollan, and Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet.. were most appreciated and as I said, it's all about being conscious, mindful, letting go of this desire to be "perfect" with every single food choice we make.  Because as I said in that post, the beauty of food and our food choices is that in 3 hours, you can eat again and choose more wisely next time.   Keep it easy, relaxed, and mellow is what I try to do!  


But let's talk about Valentine's Day Desserts!

Easy, Fast, Valentine's Day Dessert Number 1
My Vegan Fudge

Ahhh, good stuff!

It's rich, decadent, fudgy, wonderful.  Good vegan stuff.  And it's soy/nut/gluten free which is a bonus in my book.

 Vegan Fudge.  Chocolate Sprinkles Optional, of course.  Deb, Allie, Susan I wonder if you total hotties fabulous ladies will use sprinkles or not?  That was a dumb question, wasn't it.

This fudge is really simple, and it really takes about 10 minutes and you're done.  And this is my Dessert Suggestion #1 for your Valentine's Day Sweetheart.  You're thinking, but I don't have a Sweetheart.  Yes, you do: Yourself!  Make it for yourself!!!

Easy, Fast, Valentine's Day Dessert Number 2
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Enter my 2 Pints for $3.99 recent find

I have no idea why restaurants try to charge like $5 bucks per chocolate-dipped berry when they are so easy to make at home.

 Maybe size does matter (TWSS); the bigger ones bring in more money.

You can either keep the berries whole or slice them.  I employ the greater surface area, i.e. more cut sides, equals more chocolate per bite.  See geometry was not lost on me if I can put things into relevant chocolate terms.  And drizzling is nice, too, if you don't want to dip, just drizz.

Ingredients:

2 pints strawberries, washed and dried
1 bag Chocolate Chips or 10 Baker's Chocolate Squares
Optional: 1 tbsp. Coconut Oil

and p.s. I have a Coconut Oil Give Away going on too!

Directions:

1) Line a cookie sheet or tray with parchment paper and set aside.
2) Melt chocolate in microwave (Put 3/4 of bag of Chocolate Chips or and coconut oil if you're using it, in a microwaveable container. Heat for 30 seconds, stir. Repeat. Heat until most of the chocolate is melted. Add remaining chocolate and stir until smooth.) or melt over stovetop in a double boiler.
The Melted Chocolate

Tip: Make Your Own Raw Chocolate!!!! 
Averie's Quick Raw Vegan Chocolate Recipe
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder 
2 Tbsp Agave  
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil 
Dash of Vanilla Extract
Stir.   
Voila. Raw Chocolate. So easy!

Tip: Or, Make your own Vegan White Chocolate Like I Told You About Here

 Strawberries and White Chocolate = Awesome, Too!

3) Dip strawberries into melted chocolate.  Let excess drip back into the container. Note: If chocolate is too thick, just heat a little more. If chocolate is too thin, let it cool to the desired consistency.

4) Put on the prepared tray.  Refrigerate until chocolate is hard.

Easy, Fast, Valentine's Day Dessert Number 3...
Peanut Butter Cup & Dark Chocolate Carmel Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oh Wait, You'll Have to Stay Tuned for Tomorrow's Post- Part 2 for this Recipe!

After I left My Blogger Meetup with Maureen, Skylar and I went to pick up the Coffee Mug we Painted for her 3rd Birthday.

It was such a fun day!

This was the Before

And this is the Finished Mug After Firing.

It's one of those memories I will cherish as a mother.  Who cares if the mug turned out cute or not.  The memory of spending the day with my lil pumpkin on her 3rd Birthday, messy purple paint and all, is what I will always remember.

For Dinner yesterday I made a Cesar-Inspired Salad.  Mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, fresh & sun-dried tomatoes.

And dressed it with my homemade Creamy Tahini Raw Vegan Dressing

Maureen is a fan of this one!  And I know that tahini and hummus and nooch variations have been all the rage lately.  I've been enjoying my tahini-inspired dressing for awhile, too!  Feel free to add hummus or nooch til your hearts content because nooch just makes everything better, doesn't it!

Dessert was Vegan Fudge.

Love It

Yoga Today is One Legged-Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

This Yoga Picture was taken in Aruba over the Holidays towards the end of a nice, warm, early morning, solo yoga session, with the sunlight streaming in.  Warmth, light, love, all coming in.  So nice!

Hard to believe that just 6 Weeks Ago I was Here in Aruba.

I'd be lying if I said an afternoon on the beach wouldn't totally rock right about now!  I'll just have to live vicariously through the Pea Family Trip that's coming up.

For Newer Readers who Missed My Trip, Enjoy Pictures Here or Here or Here.  And for Older Readers who just want to torture yourself with gorgeous beach scenes, have at it!  haha!  It was an awesome trip and I am sooooo grateful to have spent the holidays with my family there.  

Tip of the Day:  My Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Give Away!!!!!

If you're not entered, what the heck are you waiting for?!  The Winner Will be Chosen on Friday (the 12th) just in time for Valentine's Day!   

Who needs Roses, Just Give me My Coconut Oil!  Enter Here Now!

Questions:
What's your Take on Valentine's Day and Gifts?  If you're in a relationship, do you give your significant other gifts, on Valentine's Day and on other holidays? 
I got married fairly young, so I've been married 9 years, together nearly 11 years.  When we were first together, we did gifts on any, and all, holidays.  Hmmm, Groundhog Day just passed, is that a gift-giving holiday or not...kidding!  But back in the day, we never missed a holiday with the gifts, flowers, dinners out, blingy kind of presents, the whole bit.  Fast forward a decade, a child, largely living on one income because let's face it yoga teacher's aren't getting rich these days, and we don't do gifts anymore.  You can read all about that here.  I mean, I'd never turn a gift down, I'm not a Saint!  But as a general rule, we'd rather just save our money and put it towards a big trip at the end of the year, and real life stuff that just comes up takes financial priority over gifts...like new windshields and dental work and health insurance premiums.  Do You Give Gifts on Valentine's Day?

Are you doing anything for Valentine's Day?  If so, what?!!!  Let's face it ladies, we'd be lyin' if we said we weren't hoping for a Blue Box, a Dozen Roses, and a really nice Dinner Out.  Ok, I'll speak for myself, but as I already mentioned, nothing special planned.


Are you buying anything for your significant other or do you exchange cute little Valentine's Day things with your friends?  What are you getting them?

Do you think that the best gifts are homemade?
I like giving homemade goodies and treats because I think it shows that you cared enough to do something that took some time and effort, like cooking, or painted pottery kind of gifts.  So in many ways, you really can't go wrong with homemade.  What do you think of homemade gifts?

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of the Fast & Easy Valentine's Day Desserts...

Give Away: Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil!!!!

The kind folks at Tropical Traditions (go check 'em out) are going to supply a Quart of Coconut Oil to One Lucky Reader!!!  Many of you have been asking me about where I get my Coconut Oil and what brand I like to use...well, Tropical Traditions is going to take care of you!!!

15 Ways to Enter--Each Way Gets You One Entry
Remember, leave a separate comment on my blog for each entry you want.  If applicable, please leave the link to your Facebook/Twitter/Blog in the comment you leave me.

***In order for ANY OF YOUR ENTRIES TO COUNT, you must first do this:
Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter Here-


Now that that's done, you can go ahead with your entries!

1. Leave a Comment Here telling me why you'd like to win and what you'd buy from Tropical Traditions

2. Become a Follower of my Blog (Choose Follow Publicly) 

3. If you use GoogleReader, put my blog in it. 

4. Link this contest back on a Blog Post of yours

5. Follow Me on Twitter

6. Post this contest on your Facebook or Twitter.  For Twitter users, please use this:
"LoveVeggiesandYoga.com is Giving Away Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil @LoveVeggiesYoga @TropTraditions http://bit.ly/cziAby Get It Now!"

7. Go check out Tropical Traditions's website and leave a Comment here telling me something you learned.

8. Add my Blog to your Blogroll

9. Go Check Out my Vegan Gluten Free Coconut Flour Pancakes Post  and leave a comment there telling me your favorite kind of pancakes.  Make sure you leave a comment back here too telling me you did that.

 

 

10. Go Check Out My Ginger Coconut Roasted Veggies Post.  Leave a comment there telling me how you use or would like to use coconut oil.  Make sure you leave a comment back here too telling me you did that.

11. Check out my Vegan No Bake Flaxseed Cookies with Maple & Coconut Oil and leave a comment there telling me something that catches your eye.  Make sure you leave a comment back here too telling me you did that.

12. Become a Twitter Follower of Tropical Traditions and leave a comment here telling me you did.

13. Become a Facebook Fan of Tropical Traditions and leave a comment here telling me you did.

14. Go to the Free Coconut Recipe website and tell me about a recipe you'd like to try!
 

15. Go to This Post and Tell me Something you Learned About Coconut Oil and leave a comment here too telling me you did.

***The contest ends on Friday, February 12, 2010***

Winner will be randomly selected.

I will notify the winner via email and will get you in touch with my contact at Tropical Traditions.

**P.S. Averie's Readers if you have shopping to do at Tropical Traditions, in the “How did you hear of us?” field when you're completing your order, enter sponsor ID number 5303383 to receive your complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil which includes over 85 recipes!

Have fun everyone!  Thanks Tropical Traditions!!!

***The contest ends on Friday, February 12, 2010***

Vegan Fudge

Happy Superbowl Sunday to all the Football Fans!  And Happy Superbowl Sunday to all you non-fans because this just means that places like grocery stores and parks are less crowded.  Or, if you're planning on making an escape to the mall while the football fans are crowded 'round the tv set, the mall will probably be nice and mellow and you can shop in peace!   I may or may not wish I was doing this. 

Seriously though, I've had a nice day and weekend.  I went to a wonderful hot power yoga class today, got my teacher training groove on Saturday morning because I'm pursing the highest level of yoga certification and today, Sunday, I've hung out with Skylar, and we're going to have a girls-only dinner before Scott makes his way back from the sports bar just in time to play Barbies with us.  haha!

I am really glad you enjoyed my Highlights of the Week Post yesterday!
Thanks for the lovely feedback on my Quick Almond Milk, or Peanut Butter Milk, Recipe

and the Vegan White Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups 

To No-Bake Vegan 3-Ingredient Flaxseed & Maple Cookies

To All My Mailbox & Grocery Finds and Product Reviews

To Oat Based Recipes

To Vegan Chocolate Desserts & Recipes

But since it's a new week, it's time for a new recipe:  Vegan Fudge

The Recipe is Inspired by Hannah Kaminsky, author of My Sweet Vegan which I previously reviewed here

 And Alisa of One Frugal Foodie, author of, Go Dairy Free which I reviewed here and she has much of the fudge recipe on her website, Go Dairy Free.org

Vegan Fudge--Soy, Tree Nut, & Gluten Free; and a 10 Minute Recipe
Ingredients & Directions

• 1 Cup Vegan/Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (such as Enjoy Life brand or see This Post for those not requiring certification, TJ's semisweet chocolate chips are vegan-friendly)
• 3.5 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Dairy-Free Margarine (for soy-free people, I enjoy the Earth Balance Soy Free)
• 1/2 Cup Regular Coconut Milk *DO NOT USE LIGHT Coconut Milk*
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Yields 32 Small Squares

In a large bowl, combine the chocolate chips, sugar, and cocoa.  

Separately, place the margarine and coconut milk in a small saucepan, and stir together over medium heat.

Cook the mixture until the margarine has melted, and bubbles just begin to break at the surface.

Remove it from the stove, and immediately pour the liquid over the dry chocolate & sugar mixture.

Let everything sit for a couple of minutes (and if you wait too long and it hardens up on you, feel free to nuke it for 15 seconds at a time or until melty), and then stir vigorously to melt the chocolate and incorporate the dry ingredients. 

Continue stirring until a completely smooth mixture forms.
Mix in the vanilla, and quickly pour everything into your prepared pan, a lightly greased or cooking-sprayed 8x8 pan (or another similar size)

At this point, some people may choose to sprinkle flaked coconut (about 1 cup) evenly over the entire exposed surface.  Press the coconut gently into the fudge with the palm of your hand.

Picture from Here

I wanted to kick my vegan fudge into the chocolate stratosphere so I used Chocolate Sprinkles rather than coconut

It's Raining Men  It's Raining Chocolate Sprinkles!

Press the coconut or sprinkles gently into the fudge with the palm of your hand or the back of a spoon.

Let cool completely before cutting into squares.  This required me to refrigerate it and then freeze it because I used light coconut milk.  Silly me.  Don't ever use light coconut milk in baking because it will not set up as well as full fat (regular) coconut milk.   But no worries....

....The Only Real Worry I had was hoping Skylar didn't dig into it when my back was turned!

Mischievious Grin.

The vegan fudge was just fine after I removed it from the freezer.

Then I cut it into squares

Totally delicious vegan fudge! 

It's rich, decadent, fudgy, wonderful.  Good vegan stuff.  And it's soy/nut/gluten free which is a bonus in my book.

You really only need a small square.  

 You may, however, help yourself to a large square!

Ahhh, good stuff!

If you like the looks of today's fudge, but want something along the Girl Scout Thin Mint Variety, check out my Raw Vegan Girl Scout "Thin Mint"-Inspired Fudge

Or maybe your more into brownies than fudge.
Try my Raw Vegan Chocolate Brownies


Or Maybe You're Just wanting to drool over peruse my Chocolate Recipes Post
Like Raw Vegan Chocolate Pie

Or No-Bake Vegan Creme de Menthe Bars

If you Need Chocolate like I Need Chocolate, my Chocolate Recipes Post is a Good One to Bookmark!

Some Veggies I've Devoured in the past day, in addition to chocolate, of course:
Brussels, cukes, zukes, tomatoes, red, orange & yellow peppers

Dressed with my Holiday Orange Spice Vinaigrette Recipe & Black Pepper

 And Mixed Greens with Brock, Cukes, Brussels, Carrots, & Tomatoes

Dressed with a With a Fresh Batch of Vegan Slaw Dressing that I made yesterday

Dessert was No-Bake Vegan 3-Ingredient Flaxseed & Maple Cookies

 and Vegan Fudge!!!

Yoga Today is Sirsasana (headstand)

And Ardha Sirasana (Half Headstand).  Go into full headstand and then carefully lower so that your legs are parallel with the floor.  Got Milk Abs anyone?  Holding your legs 90 degrees from your body while fighting gravity is a sure-fire way to help increase your core strength.  Core strength is so important for everything from balance to remaining injury-free, and as a benefit, you'll whip your abs into great shape!

And please, when going up into headstand, DO NOT DONKEY KICK UP!   You need to go up slowly and with control; start in downward dog, make a crown for your head with your hands, and start to walk your toes forward, forward, til you go up, up, and away.  No kicking up into headstand as it's a sure-fire way to fall and get injured, severely.

Tips of the Day:
Michael Pollan's latest book, Food Rules, has simple and powerful tips like these...

#3 Avoid food products containing ingredients that no ordinary human would keep in the pantry.
#19 If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't.
#36 Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.




Questions:  
Have you Read Michael Pollan's latest or have you read his previous books?  (In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto or The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals)
What are your Thoughts about What he Says?


Did you watch Oprah with Alicia Silverstone and Michael Pollan?   Thoughts?

What do you think of Alicia's Book, The Kind Diet?

My take on it all is that you don't have to be a vegan, you don't have to be raw, but you should be mindful and conscious about your food choices.  Know where you food comes from, what's in it, and be mindful about what you're putting in your body.  As I have said before, I don't always purchase Organic Foods and here's why, but if I can, I choose to purchase locally grown foods, which are likely organic, even if not certified organic.   I am mindful to try to eat seasonally, locally; and "mostly plants" as Pollan says.  Chocolate fudge not withstanding...haha!

I also don't think food choices don't need to be complicated and we shouldn't beat ourselves up if we eat something that others may shun or that someone else thinks is "bad" because it's your path, your body, your choices.    Really, who cares what they think! So what; you ate it, move on.  The beauty of food and our food choices is that in 3 hours, you can eat again and choose more wisely next time.   Keep it easy, relaxed, and mellow is what I try to do!  

Tell me your thoughts!

And on far lighter matters...Do You Like Fudge?  Or, what's your favorite format to get your chocolate fix in?  Chocolate cookies, chocolate cake, fudge?  Can there ever be too much chocolate?  I will say, I love white cake with chocolate frosting and I think I prefer regular chocolate chip cookies to double chocolate cookies, but really, chocolate in any form is good by me!  How bout you, What's your Fave Chocolate Food or Fave Way to Eat Chocolate?

Stay Tuned For A Give Away...

Highlights of the Week & Quick Almond Milk Recipe

How's your weekend going?  Mine has been going well and I love the productive feeling I have when I am crossing things off my to-do-list, left and right.  That term, lazy weekend morning?  That doesn't happen so much 'round here and that's fine by me.  I love handing Skylar off for a few hours with Scott and I go do yoga, and then run errands at warp speed without having to utter the phrases, "honey, please don't touch anything" and "we look with our eyes, not our hands" a hundred times.  Makes the shopping experience a little easier and faster, no doubt.  What have you been up to?  Cooking or strategizing what you're going to cook for the Big Game tomorrow?  Any plans?  As I've mentioned, I am laying low, doing nothing, and am thrilled about it!   Thanks to everyone who's left recipe links in the comment fields about what you're making....great ideas!

It's Saturday so that means it's time to recap the week's highlights from food to fun events.  If you missed last week's recap, here it is so you can go check that handy post out.

Let's Get On With This Week's Recap....
On Sunday I posted the Vegan White Chocolate Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cups!

Some were All White with Chocolate PB Centers

And Some were White and Dark Chocolate Outers with Chocolate PB Centers

And I reminded you about My Yoga and Raw Vegan Foods Retreat!

On the Beach in San Diego

August

This Summer in August!

Be there and get your Om Shanti Shanti on while eating your weight in veggies.
 
Monday I Posted Pictures from Skylar's 3rd Birthday Party!

We had an awesome day

Complete with the First Ever Cupcake my 3 year old had ever eaten

She had waited a lifetime for That Bite

And I made Vegan Coconut Milk Kefir

Raw Vegan Chocolate Coconut Snowballs

And Raw Veggies

 I love Sugar Snap Peas with homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing

And asked you what burning questions you have for me for an About Me Tab or Post

Tuesday I Posted Tons of Recipes that Use Oats 
Like Vegan Maple Nut Oaties

Bowls of Chocolate Banana & Raisin Oatmeal  

 And Banana & Butterfinger Oats

And Creamy, coconutty, mango-ey, chia-ey overnight soaked oats

To Vegan Gluten Free Pancakes

To No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

To Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

To Raw Vegan Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cookies

And high Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

And Raw Vegan Apple Crumble

And I discussed whether or not Oats Are Gluten-Free and how it's kind of a Trick Question.

Wednesday I announced the Winner of the $50 iHerb.com Shopping Spree Give Away

Click Here if you Missed It

Thursday I posted pictures from my Pottery Painting Trip with Skylar for her 3rd Birthday

And received my iHerb.com order in the Mail: Sun Warrior & Probiotics!

**For All of Averie's Readers, use code AVE630 at iHerb.com and save $5 off your order!**  And all orders over $60 ship free and all order over $40 are a flat rate of 4 bucks for shipping!

And I won some Coconut Oil in a Give Away

Which I used to make Ginger-Coconut Roasted Veggies

That I plated up with Fresh Greenery

 And More Greenery with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing

 For Dessert there were high Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies for Skylar

 

Raw Vegan Chocolate Coconut Snowballs for Scott

And Vegan White Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups for me!

And I shared my Natural Tips & Remedies for Colds, Flus, and Sickness.   

And you shared your thoughts about what you do, and whether or not you think natural remedies are effective.

Friday I scored at Trader Joe's

Reasonably priced fruit

And Veggies

Got my Crunch On: Plantain Chips, Carmel Corn, and Rice Crackers

 

And got my Fair Trade Organic Coffee On!

And Scored on Baking Supplies!

For Raw Ball Making!
Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla

Raw Vegan Gingerbread

Dark Chocolate Fudge

And Made a Green Meal

with my Maple Ginger Dijon Vinagrette 

And for dessert made No-Bake Vegan 3-Ingredient Flaxseed Cookies

3 Ingredients & 5 Minutes til happiness!

And talked about How the Internet Effects Mood and Does It Make Us Depressed?  Great comments, everyone!

Saturday I received this perfect-for-yoga Be Present TShirt in the Mail that I won in Shannon of The Daily Balance's GiveAway!

It's so ironic that I won a Be Present Tshirt because in my massive Yoga FAQ's post that was published a few days before my win, I blogged about how I've worn Be Present for years and adore their pants and all of Be Present's clothes rock!


Here's an Excerpt from That Post:

Companies I love for clothing & yoga accessories:

BePresent.  Their Lotus Mobility Pant, which is a longish Capri, is my hands down favorite pair of pants to walk around town in AND practice in.  Who needs expensive jeans?  Just give me my... 

....BePresent Mobility Pants! 

My win was awesome karma!  Here's my new tshirt:

100% Organic Cotton which is so soft!

 Thanks again Be Present and Shannon of The Daily Balance!

Yoga Today is an Astavakrasana Variation

Need help lifting off?  Check out my Yoga FAQ's Post for Tips & Tricks!

Tip of the Day:
Quick Almond Milk Recipe
This recipe is a quick solution when you need almond milk for a recipe, but realize you're out or don't want to open a whole new container of it.

1-2 tablespoons (raw) almond butter.  
1 cup water
In blender, combine almond butter with water. Blend until smooth. 

Refrigerate. Use within 1 day.
Yields 1 cup.
Optional tweak: peanut butter, cashew butter, or any other nut butter you enjoy can be used to make the nut milk.   Obviously recognize you're going to end up with peanut butter flavored milk or cashew butter flavored milk, etc. if you don't use almond butter.  Which is probably a good thing for some people.

Questions:
Tell me Your Superbowl Plans and if you have Fave Recipe Links for Parties, Drop them in my Comments!  Vegan/Vegetarian and Gluten Free/Soy Light preferred; I know, I'm a tough one!  haha!

What's A Kitchen or Cooking Shortcut you use or have learned about recently?  Mine is the nut milk trick out of nut butter and I also have determined that "old fashioned oats" cook well enough to my and Scott's liking in the microwave.  No need to buy instant, ever.  Nor break down and cook them on the stovetop if you're pressed for time and must use the micro.  As with anything, your mileage and preferences may vary.  But tell me about your tips and tricks up your sleeve!

Stay Tuned For Vegan Fudge...

Grocery Finds, No Bake Vegan Flaxseed Cookies, Internet & Mood

TGIF friends!  What a week!  Why did I feel like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off?  Oh wait, because I was!   Birthday festivities, yoga classes to teach, errands, the usual chaos.  Today I went and got my hair done.  Isn't it just the best feeling when you go from meh with your roots to oh-yeah-baby when your color is freshened up!? Well, for me it is!  Sorry I didn't snap a fresh picture but will post one tomorrow.  The color looks very similar to the picture here.

Tell me about your plans for the big Superbowl Weekend?  As I mentioned yesterday, I will be doing precisely nothing on Sunday other than relishing in the silence at home.  Yay!  Saturday morning always involves yoga so that'll be nice, too.  I'm pursing the highest level of yoga certification and on Saturday mornings I hit up the Teacher Training aspect of my practice and study with my two teacher gurus and the other yogis and yoginis in the teacher training program.  I also found out that my graduation date is in 2 weeks!

I'm glad you enjoyed yesterday's mega post on everything from my Pottery Painting Trip with Skylar

Great memories were made, indeed.  As well as a cute coffee mug.

And thanks for your feedback about whether you enjoy Coconut Oil and for the compliments on my Coconut-Ginger Roasted Veggies and Salads

 Glad you liked my Natural Tips & Remedies for Colds, Flus, and Sickness.  Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about what you do, and whether or not you think natural remedies are effective.  I loved hearing everyone's take on it!

But Moving Along...
And as I mentioned in this post, I hit up Trader Joe's before we came home and made Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies the other day.

At TJ's, I found all kinds of new-to-me things!

Coffee.  Fair Trade Organic Ethiopian.
If you've missed my previous thoughts on Organic Foods and that I don't always choose them and why, here you go.  But this is organic...awesome!

Oh and recently I discovered TJ's Fair Trade Organic French Roast

It's rich, bold, but not bitter.  The label says "bright" and I would agree.  It's perfect and it's been in rotation with my beloved Sumatra, as well.

But yesterday's TJ's employee, who sounded like he enjoys his coffee almost as much as I do, recommended the Ethiopian.

and he mentioned that you can "taste a subtle hint of blueberry."

Normally when people say things like that, I feel like they've been smokin' blueberries for a little too long, but honestly, very subtly, you can taste a hint of blueberry and I am loving this find!   

$8 bucks for a 12 oz can, too.  Extremely reasonable for organic fair trade if you ask me.

Next some plantain chips.  

Yes they have honey in them but some vegans are ok with (local) honey, and I am also one of them.

But these plantain chips are crunchy, sweet, and help remedy my midnight sweet tooth while I'm blog surfing.

The plantain chips are probably better for me than this stuff.   

But it sure tastes good!

The Crunch Fest Continued as I threw some Oriental Rice Crackers in the cart.

There were the standard issue organic greens, cucumber, and yellow pepper.

And then this bag of organic pears:  5 nice sized pears for $1.99  Score!!!!!!

And a pint of blueberries ($3.99) and 2 pints of cherries ($4.49).  Bananas are 19 cents each.  I am only putting prices to encourage you WF shoppers to take the plunge, come shop where us cheap kids shop: TJ's and save yourself some moola!  And if you're one of those readers who doesn't have a TJ's, so sorry!!!!  Costco maybe?  Sorry you don't have a TJ's!

And for all my baking and unbaking needs: feast your eyes on my cocoa, chocolate and sugar!  I can't help it, this excites me!  My creative juices about what I'm going to make next start flowing!

As a sidebar, after consulting with Alisa of One Frugal Foodie, and she also Wrote This Book: Go Dairy Free which I reviewed here

and she also founded the site, Go Dairy Free so suffice to say, she knows what has milk in it and what doesn't....

...and I consulted with Hannah Kaminsky who wrote My Sweet Vegan which I previously reviewed here...

But back to the sidebar, both Hannah and Alisa said that although TJ's chocolate chips can't be certified vegan because of course there can be trace dairy cross-contamination, they both use them in their dairy-free and vegan cooking.  That's music to my ears!   If you want certified, try the Enjoy Life or the Sunspire Brands, both excellent, but 3 times the price of a bag of TJ's chips.

Back to my Shopping Trip...
In order to get your Balls On, you always need medjools.

Lots of medjools for lots of balls.

Balls like Raw Vegan Vanilla Peanut Butter (or Sunflower Seed Butter) Balls

Or high Raw Vegan Gingerbread Balls

 

Or Raw Vegan Chocolate Fudge Balls

Medjool Dates are always needed and will never go to waste in this house!   Or in Sheri's, she buys them by the case!

I came home and got my rabbit food going:  Greens, Brussels, Cauli, Zukes, Cukes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Red, Yellow, & Orange Bell Peppers.

And dressed it with my Maple Ginger Dijon Vinaigrette.  An easy & great dressing!  Nic made it and she told me she really enjoyed it, too!

And for dessert, we made raw flax cookies with coconut oil and with maple syrup, being that I already had the maple syrup out and all, from making the salad dressing, of course.

Averie's No-Bake 3-Ingredient Vegan Flaxseed Cookies
Take 1 c flax seeds and Grind. 
I used toasted flax which will gave the cookies a slight peanut buttery flavor, even though there's no actual PB in here.

Add 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil + 1/4 c Maple Syrup

Blend again

Take out and mold into 4 cookies

Drizzle with syrup or agave, garnish with raisins!
Other options include: garnishing with nuts, fresh or dried fruit, chocolate or carob chips, nut butter, raw vegan cashew cream, add a tsp of vanilla extract to the batch, you name it, go for it...

And if you make a double-batch, they wrap up realllly well for out-n-about snacks.  Enjoy!

These are a 3 Ingredient, 5-Minute, high Raw, No-Bake Wonder!  They're healthy as cookies go, filled with good fats, filling yet light, not too sweet but sweet enough...I really enjoy them!

Skylar loved them!

More Mommy, she said!

Okay, no problem, get your fiber flax on, honey!

Yoga Today is Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose).  Please do not try this unless your back is thoroughly warmed up as well as your quads.  Yoga is not a competition and so please don't force yourself into a pose.  I don't want you to hurt yourself.  This is a pose to work towards with patience, compassion, and mindfulness for any limitations your body has.  That said, it's a beautiful pose, your heart opens, love and lightness enter, and peacefulness & calm ensue over my being when I am in this asana!

Tip of the Day: Maybe we should Unplug More!  Yesterday I read a brief article about the Internet Making Us Depressed.   The article mentioned that "internet addicts are more likely to be depressed than those who surf the Web a normal amount."  Do you agree or not?  Do you find that too much screen time leaves you feeling icky and anxious, or do you enjoy it and love the knowledge, information, and learning that takes place when you're on the internet?   

For me, it's a mixture of both; I do need to do yoga, go for a walk, be outdoors!, be with my family, but I also am a lifelong learner, I have an unquenchable thirst for new info & knowledge and appreciate the internet and how it helps me to learn and feeds my brain.  But with anything in life, we must find balance.  I admit that I struggle with finding balance in how much time I spend on my computer, but hey, we're all works in progress, right! 

Questions:
Do you struggle to find balance in your blogging or online life vs. your real life?  If you've found balance, what has helped?  And if you aren't in balance with it, do you have anything lined up to help become more balanced?

How Does Computer & Screen Time Affect Your Mood?

Flax Seeds.  Do you like them?  What's your favorite kind of seed?  Favorite kind of nut?   
For me it's sunflower seeds & flax seeds and cashews!

Getting your hair done...do you wait til you can't stand it anymore or are you on a schedule?  Like every 6 or 8 or 10 weeks?  
I used to be on a schedule but now am a mother and  in the wait til I can't stand it camp!

Stay Tuned For Weekly Recap and The Highlights of the Week...

Pottery Painting, Ginger Coconut Roasted Veggies, Coconut Oil, Natural Remedies

We've almost made it through the week, and that's great because who doesn't love the weekend!  Especially Superbowl Weekend!  Not that I even know who's playing or care, but there's something about gathering 'round with friends and eating really bad appetizers and unhealthy food that's just so fun!  Kidding!!!!  On Sunday I will be relishing the silence:  Scott will be watching the game at a sports bar and Skylar will be napping and I will have just come home from yoga.  Beautiful.  But seriously, if anyone has a great appetizer recipe that's vegan and gluten free, something festive that's a tried-and-true hit with folks, drop me a link to it in the comments because those kind of recipes score me brownie points with Scott

Thanks for your feedback yesterday about what you like to bring to parties to keep things a little healthier; everything from hummus to raw veggies to homemade desserts.  Thanks for the ideas!

Oh and I'm really glad you enjoyed the pictures from Skylar's 3rd Birthday Party!

 And the Easy Countertop Vegan Coconut Milk Kefir

And the Raw Vegan Chocolate Coconut Snowballs

And thanks for letting me know what burning questions you'd like me to answer in an About Me type Tab.  I am thinking Q & A session type post.   Elise and Julie have both done them recently, I need to get in on the action!

And I loved all your awesome comments on my Oats Post!
Everything from Bowls of Oatmeal

Creamy, coconutty, mango-ey, chia-ey action.  Tyrah already made it!

 to Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls which contain Oats

to Raw Vegan Apple Crumble which contains Oats.

I know Bloggers love to Get Our Oats on with Oat-Based Eats.  Glad you enjoyed all the recipes!

And the discussion and info I provided about Oats being gluten-free but usually cross-contaminated in milling & production, if you missed the GF discussion, check it out but glad that so many of you found that helpful!

Moving on...
On Skylar's actual birthday, which was Tuesday, February 2, I took my freshly minted 3-year old to paint some pottery!

When I asked her what Colors She Wanted to Use...

...She was a bit stymied by all the choices!  We ended up with pink and purple, imagine that.

What item did this coffee guzzlin' fiend I choose for the little Birthday Girl to paint?

A Coffee Mug, of course.

Her handy-work

And then I doctored it up just a little.  Basically, whatever paint I could slap on in 5 minutes. 

Back in the day, I used to love to paint pottery.  I also used to watch tv, shower when I wanted to, and worked earning money.  Now I just work my butt off, for free.

But seeing this grin makes it all worth it, of course!  We get to pick up the mug on Saturday, I'll post a picture so you can see how it turned out.  Can you handle the suspense?  haha!

We came home and found my iHerb.com order waiting for me.

My Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Brown Rice Protein Powder in Chocolate.  The Vanilla is Awesome, too!

And my Probiotics

**And if you have shopping to do, Averie's Readers use Coupon Code AVE630 to take $5 Off Your First Order at iHerb.com!!!!!!

As I have mentioned before in my Natural Supplements Post, Probiotics are So Important!   
80% of our immune system is in our gut, so if you're gut isn't healthy, you're not going to be healthy.  The normal, natural flora of your gut can become out of whack from environmental pollutants, caffeine, alcohol, stress, antibiotics, other medications, you name it, so replenish it with 5 billion organisms per pill.

Or with fermented foods like my Homemade Countertop Easy Vegan Coconut Milk Kefir

Or Replenish With Probiotics. Look for Enteric Coated. That just means your stomach acid won't destroy it and the good bacteria, all 5 billion of them, will survive til they hit your GI tract where they do their best work.

And the iHerb.com people sent a sample of these Wellness Formula Daily Defense.  I keep a stash of these of the Wellness Formula on hand because at the first sign of a cold or flu bug, they work very well.  

 Oh and did you catch the $50 iHerb.com Shopping Spree Give Away Winner?  

If you missed it, Click Here. 

I was also lucky enough to win Cooking For a Vegan Lover's Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Give Away!

Do Not Fear the Fat. 
I know Evan, Gena and Heather don't.  Nor does Miss Vegan Thursday!

If you missed my post on Coconut Oil Facts and Info, Check This One Out.

Thanks again, Lindsay of Cooking for a Vegan Lover and Tropical Traditions!

Scoring points with my husband who adores potatoes Dinnertime involved dicing up some potatoes and mini carrots

Drizzling with EVOO and a Coconut Oil combo, pepper (and salt if you wish), and a heavy sprinkling of ginger root (which is a great antimicrobial herb)

Roasting at 400F for 50 minutes, the first 30 minutes covered with foil, the last 20 minutes, flipped the veggies over and roasted them, uncovered.

And Voila

Plated the roasted veggies with Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Carrots, & Cukes

And dressed it with homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing

The roasted veggies were slightly crunchy on the outside but tender & soft on the inside.  Good stuff and I scored with Scott!
And Skylar!

I tore into another bowl of Greenery:  Brock, Sugar Snap Peas, Cukes, Tomatoes, Mixed Greens and homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing

Dessert was a Raw Vegan Chocolate Coconut Snowball for Scott

And a few Vegan White Chocolate Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cups for me!

And Skylar wanted a few of the Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies we made yesterday!

No icky ingredients, and no waiting around for them to bake...they're ready in 5 minutes.  As soon as you can get them out of the food processor or Vita!

 

Get 'em started young on the good kind of cookies!

Yoga Today is The Splits!  A wonderful hip opener and way to stretch our your hamstrings, quads, and hip flexors.  Some of you run and your hamstrings are tight from overuse, and some of you sit at your desk or at your job you're sitting alot and so your hamstrings and back is tight from that.  Try the splits to loosen it all up!  Baby steps, don't force it.  Keep practicing & holding your version of the splits for a few minutes every day and I bet in 30-60 days you'll be on the ground, but you need to be consistent.  Like everything in life, consistency is the name of the game!

Hanumanasana (Monkey Pose, or the full splits).

And Utthita Hasta Padangustasana, (The Standing Splits)

Tip of the Day: Because we're still in cold and flu season, I wanted to mention what I do at the First Sign of a Cold, Cough, Flu-Bug, or Sickness.  
I recommend the following:
Starting or Upping Your Probiotic Dosage (2x/your usual)
Herbs such as Echinachea, Goldenseal, Slippery Elm Bark, Licorice Root.  For these herbs, check out your local health food store if you need them right away, or WF's (but they are really expensive there) so try to order online if you can.
Vitamin C
Cooking with Cinnamon, Ginger, Cumin, Garlic, Onion.  They are all antimicrobial!  In order for these to be maximally effective, use generously and liberally.
Colloidal Silver
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbs that a TCM doctor or herbalist prescribes for your specific condition)
Accupuncture
Massage
Extra vigilance with handwashing
Rest
Increase Your Fluids

There are so many online sites to choose from with holistic and natural remedies information, but here was one I just came across.   Kris recently posted about her raw smoothie monsters to blast her germs away!


Questions:

What do You Do when you're feeling a cold or sickness coming on?  Do you believe in the power of natural remedies?  Why or why not?  For me, I treat everything naturally first and 95% of the time, that's enough.  With a good, clean diet, our immune systems are already strong and powerful, and in conjunction with common sense like rest and fluids and natural remedies, most things resolve themselves in a few days or a week.  However, I am not opposed to bringing in the big guns and western medicine if the situation warrants it, of course common sense must prevail.  How do you treat your health challenges?  Herbs and natural remedies, traditional western medicine all the way, or just do nothing and cross your fingers and hope you get better!

Have you tried Coconut Oil?  What's your verdict on it?  I confess I didn't always love it because I was buying inferior brands and the flavor was always meh, but in the past few years, I have upped my game on what brands I choose, and now I am hooked on it!


Still taking Reader Questions for an About Me Post.  Random Questions like Which Housewife is my Favorite are totally fine!

Stay Tuned For Shopping Finds and Cool New Products...

Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies & Secret Valentine Mail-Off

Hi honey bunches of oats!  How are you doing today?  I've been flying around today to Trader Joes, the bank, the post office, and taking care of Skylar and am en route to teach a 5:30 heated power yoga class so this is going to be a snappy post!

I am really glad you enjoyed my All Things Oats Post Yesterday!  Bowls of Oatmeal and Recipes that have Oats in them!

I forgot to mention one of Scott's Favorites:  Butterfinger and Banana Oats!

And I just posted the Give Away Winner!  Did you all Remember to Check and See who Won the $50 iHerb.com Shopping Spree?

After we got our TJ's shopping done, we swung through the post office and dropped off my Secret Bloggie Valentine Gift!  Remember when I asked about what you'd like to receive in the mail?  Well, I think my Valentine is going to be happy!  A mix of homemade goodies and some of my favorite things like Amazing Grass Bars, Bora Bora Bars, Vega Products, and well...I'll post photos of what I sent after V-Day!
The Vegan White Chocolate Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cups were included:

...as well as lot of other goodies in this box that I mailed.

After our big errand morning, Skylar and I...

...made some high Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Today!

No icky ingredients, and no waiting around for them to bake...they're ready in 5 minutes.  As soon as you can get them out of the food processor or Vita!

 

Check the Recipe Out Here!

It's always fun cooking with my lil pumpkin!

And after her natural sugar rush from the dates & raisins, she was dancing around the kitchen!

Yoga Today is Seated forward bending in Paschimottanasana.  If you're a runner especially, you really need to think about stretching your hamstrings in a seated forward bend or standing forward bend where you'd fold over at the waist and touch your toes.  Running shortens your hamstrings, and forward bends will counter that and helps to lengthen them back out.  And doing so will help you prevent injuries. 

For the non runners, this pose also helps to stretch and release your lower back and since we all spend too much time sitting at our 'puters and not doin' our backs any favors, forward bends will help your back out, too.

And with the traditional ashtanga style toe-hold

Tip of the Day: Sale on Amazing Grass Bars!

Save 20% on our Chocolate and Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars now through 2/8/10. Use Promo Code 'chocolate10' at checkout.

 

But, if that's not in your budget and you want your bars NOW, Make Your Own No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars!

 And of course you can use your fave protein powder in them!

They're No Bake, Gluten & Soy Free and delish & fast, and so inexpensive to make at home...check these out!


Questions:
Do your friends or family eat in a similar fashion as you?  Such as vegetarian/vegan or gluten-free, or dairy-free, or what have you?  Sometimes, just being more mindful and conscious of the choices we make regarding processed foods, and finding healthier alternatives to "traditional food" like making Superbowl Appetizers healthier, that type of thing, are you viewed as strange but they accept it anyway?  Or, do they totally think you rock and you've actually helped show them a healthier path and brand new options and ways of eating healthier?  Do you care what they think?  
I personally don't care if anyone thinks being a gluten-free vegan is strange or weird.   I do it for health reasons and because of my food allergies & intolerances, and of course, the social and ethical impacts of veganism are great, but I do it for my health because this is the path I feel best on!  If people think I'm weird, oh well!   

Superbowl Plans?  Do you have any?  Any Recipes that are healthy, crowd pleasers and don't involve a slab of bbq ribs and a case of Bud?  I'd love to hear if you're doing anything for the Weekend and if you're making/bringing anything to any parties!

 

Stay Tuned For Roasted Veggies, Cute Pics from a Fun Day, and Cool Grocery Finds...