Friday, June 24, 2011

Great Escapes

This has been a long week. You know those weeks, something unexpected happens (and not in a good way) and then the week just never seems to end. Unfortunately I really let this week get me down and as the week draws to a close, its time I reflect on some of the things that have helped me through this week. 

 Yes, that is the pink panther in the background as our scarecrow.


1. Gardening. One thing I have always wanted but some severe bouts of poison ivy have kept me away from, is my own garden. That is something I have been truly blessed to have this summer. We are staying with Drew's parents this summer who have an awesome space for a garden and have graciously lent us some of their gardening space. Overall, our garden has done pretty awesome this summer and is finally starting to look like a real garden! We have two more plots around the one above that we tilled up and planted this week so we should have a couple rounds of good produce! Another awesome perk of being in the country: chickens, a.k.a. "the girls."

The Girls.

2. Cooking, of course. This week I had a pretty good go in the kitchen but one dish I want to highlight is the veggie potpie. This was my first attempt at potpie and it turned out pretty great. I have already been brainstorm ideas to perfect this pie but it definitely hit the comfort food spot. When things get stressful I tend to shy away from doing things I love but this is a perfect example of how doing something I love  really can lift the spirits. Fortunately for me, this recipe turned out well, otherwise this would be a different story right now.

3. Cooking Scrabble. This morning's activities included a game of scrabble with some coffee and homemade vegan banana bread. Perfect combo! Seriously, this game is awesome. This takes my love of scrabble to whole new level.  A perfect start to the weekend. 


So, it's true. I have a lot to be thankful for. Thanks to my friend, The Confounded Cook for inspiring me with his wonderful blog. I should also probably thank Drew for humoring me with a game of scrabble at 9 o'clock in the morning. Now, on to some bridal shower fun this weekend! 

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Rhubarb!


Today Drew and I decided that instead of sleeping until the last possible minute before we needed to be somewhere, we would actually get up early and get something done. Now, I am not going to admit to what time we actually got up because for most people it is not early at all, but at this uncommonly early hour for me, I found myself wondering..."so what am I supposed to do now?" Of course I a can always resort to baking to keep myself busy so I decided to use some of my fresh rhubarb to whip up some rhubarb crisp. This is a seriously easy dessert (or breakfast) to make and it is so good. I tried a recipe from the Old Threshers "Sweet Tooth" cookbook from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and it turned out great!

Now this recipe is anything but healthy but rhubarb does come along with some healthful benefits. According to EatingWell magazine, "a cup of fresh, chopped rhubarb delivers healthy doses of vitamin C, potassium and bone healthy vitamin K, for just 26 calories." This article actually does include healthy recipes and I will include one that I have tried below. The Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge is an excellent and extremely tasty way to start your morning.

If you have never tried rhubarb, please don't waste any time! The sweet tartness will keep you coming back for more.


Rhubarb Crisp

4 cups rhubarb chopped
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick margarine ( I used vegan butter)
1 cup sugar*
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Preheat over to 375. Grease an 8x8 baking dish. Melt butter and set aside. In a large bowl, combine rhubarb with the sugar, 1/4 of the flour and cinnamon and transfer the mixture to a baking dish. In a bowl, combine the remains of flour, brown sugar, oats and melted butter. Sprinkle the streusel over the rhubarb mixture and bake in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes. Let dessert cool and serve with ice cream.

* I have been wanting to substitute sugar for agave nectar in recipes but I am not sure how differently they behave. I took a baby step today and used 3/4 sugar and 1/4 agave nectar. I am sure it doesn't make much difference but it made me feel a little better to use a little less white sugar. The crisp still turned out just fine!


Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge

1 1/2 cups nonfat milk or nondairy milk, such as soy or almond milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup 1/2-inch pieces rhubarb, fresh or frozen
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar, pure maple syrup or agave nectar
1 tablespoons chopped pecans or other nuts, toasted if desired

Combine milk, juice, oats, rhubarb, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a oil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover and cook at a very gentle bubble, stirring frequently, until the oats and rhubarb are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in sweetener to taste. Top with nuts.

Friday, June 10, 2011

My old friend, the Food Coma


We all know the signs....fullness to the point of discomfort, lethargy, laziness, and a burning desire to take a looong nap. That's right, a food coma. And I have to say, I have been experiencing them entirely too much this past week. Usually you can equate a food coma to the aftermath of a Thanksgiving meal, but you don't often notice them in June. Or maybe you are just used to the feeling. I am beginning to think I was.

The past 24 hours I have pretty much been eating whatever I wanted, from a banana bread split (above), cheesy Imo's pizza goodness, to goat cheese spinach and artichoke dip with a side of beer. My old friends cheese and unhealthy carbs have been moonlighting a little too much lately. Honestly, I have been letting my diet slip to "treat" myself and I feel terrible. If I had any questions about trying my vegan diet before, they are gone. The side effects to my old diet are astounding and don't waste any time rearing their ugly head. In one week I have gained back all weight that I have naturally lost in the last month, drained my energy, and have been left with a feeling of absolute disgust after what I just ate. I am not saying I felt guilty about eating dairy, I literally felt disgusting. The worst part is, the feeling lasts for hours. Drew and I commented after downing an Imo's pizza that we felt terrible and we hoped we learned our lesson in eating food that we knew wasn't healthy for us. Lo and behold, the next night we were eating out and taking in whatever sounded good to us and we felt the worst we had in months. I think it is safe to say we have finally learned our lesson.

Being a vegetarian for four years, I never thought I had an unhealthy diet. I thought I was doing pretty good by not eating meat and cooking for myself, even if it was whatever I wanted. Maybe all I needed to do was add some more fruits and vegetables. Maybe this vegan thing is an extreme and I just needed to balance my diet better. Who knows. What I do know is that I now know what it feels like to feel awesome by a few simple diet changes and I need get back to that ASAP.