Nutty chocolate bon bons

Every January people go insane with New Year’s resolutions to be healthier, wealthier and wiser.

Well, here’s my little contribution to the healthier and wiser bit: chocolate bon bons.

WHAT? Bon bons ain’t no health food!

Well, yes … and no. These nutty chocolatey, scrumptious bon bons are packed with antioxidants and good for you ingredients. There’s no dairy, no processed sugar, no unhealthy fats.

AND they’re crazy fast and easy to whip up. So enjoy these babies guilt-free and know that you’re being to kind to your body. Woo hoo! Happy New Year to all of us!

Pumpkin spice chai vegan milkshake

Earlier this year I gave up coffee. Again. It was terrible and traumatic at the time, but I don’t really miss it. Sorta.

Okay, who am I kidding, I do miss it. I love the smell of coffee and its heady aroma first thing in the morning. I also miss the specialty drinks during the holidays. Every year I got a thrill when I saw Pumpkin Spice Latte appear on the menu. Oooooh. Happiness. And then when Christmas rolled around I felt giddy as I entertained Peppermint Mochas and Eggnog Lattes. I miss it, I tell you, I miss it!

But, here’s what I don’t miss:

• the 9,000 calories per drink,
• the acidic fiesta created in my stomach thanks to the caffeine,
• the instant sugar rush followed by an overwhelming desire to take a nap, and
• I really don’t miss my body’s severe addiction to it, the withdrawals suck.

So, while I do miss coffee I have happily given it up and have found other ways to satisfy my holiday specialty drink thrills.

From the garden: vegan eggplant parmigiana with quinoa polenta

Our little garden is still producing tons of eggplant, zukes and bell peppers. Trying to keep up with production has been a real challenge. There’s only so much eggplant stir fry that a girl can take.

However, since the weather has started to cool heartier meals have begun to appeal and this vegan eggplant parmigiana hits the spot.

This is the perfect recipe for weeknights or busy weekends when you want warm comfy food, but don’t have hours to slave in the kitchen. In other words, it’s super easy!

Ch-ch-ch-chia! seeds

What the heck are chia seeds and why do I care?

Well, they are the seeds of Salvia Hispanica, a member of the mint family and are native to Mexico and Central America. They are used in breads, sauces, drinks and most famously, in the sprouting Chia Pet. (Ch-ch-ch-chia! Man, I still remember that TV commercials thirty nine million years later. Brilliant marketing! I confess that I have had many a Chia Pet in my day. I love ‘em.)

Anyway, nutritionally these babies are little powerhouses about which you can read more here >>. Culinary-wise they have a tapioca-like thickening property. Ah, food. This is where my interest really picks up.

If you, like me, love tapioca pudding then you will love chia seeds. Chia seeds will allow you to make a super healthy dessert-like dish that is low-calorie and so easy to make it’s ridiculous. Who doesn’t like that?

So, let’s make chia pudding.

From the garden: basil pesto!

Well, with all this heat my second round of basil has exploded. I just harvested five big ol’ bushes, which means I’ve got basil coming out my ears. This much basil can only mean the sweet deliciousness of pesto, baby! Woohoo!

I love pesto, but even I cannot eat quite this much of it. It’s time to freeze pesto, my friends. This recipe for vegan pesto has become a household favorite, even with my very picky pesto-loving Mister.

Pesto is so stinking easy to make and even easier to freeze for future use, it’s silly not to. Here’s my vegan take on the traditional pesto. And if you don’t like this just as much as the original, I’ll eat my Giants cap!

Vegans aren’t just granolas anymore

A couple of months ago my mother-in-law, Jeanne, asked me to send her some vegan recipes. While putting together my list I ran across Vegan Black Metal Chef and his videos. I laughed all the way through the making of “Phad Thai”. And now I covet his awesome knife. Screw the standard chef’s knife, what I need is one like his!

 So, Jeanne … uhm, these are for you.