A Sweet & Sour Life

Julie's Kind Kitchen

2007-07-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

NEW BLOG!

It's still in the works, but check it out and update your links :]

Veg*an Potluck Pics

2007-06-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

So fun!

I'm baaaaaaack.

2007-06-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

The trip was a lot of fun! Well, it was all fun, except for the food. The cruise had crappy food (for the most part) and because we were traveling with my bf's family we only dined at a few veg friendly places. oh, well. Here's some pics:

Matt and I in Jamaica:

Me on formal night:

I have more pics I will post hopefully soon.

On to other things... I have joined Sparkpeople. The 30 day challenge didn't work out, so I am giving it another go-I wanna slim down and I am determined to do so! If any one has any get healthy tips, send them my way!

Also, I have a Matt and Nat purse, brand new that I don't need. Well, I thought I needed it when I bought it...but, you know. If you are interested in buying it off me, I will give you a great price. Shoot me an e-mail and I'll send you details and a pic of the purse.

I am looking forward to cooking more and blogging more, so stay tuned. I will be attending a small vegan potluck on Sunday, so I will be sure to post pics of that.

Happy cooking and have a great weekend!

One more before I go...

2007-05-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Here's some baba ganoush, grilled veggies and pita bread I made quite awhile back for a get together to watch the Phoenix Suns. The recipe can be found here. Matt said, and I quote "This is the BEST thing you've ever made!" I must say, it was delicious. I can't take much of the credit, though. Thanks Susan!

I am leaving on Saturday for my graduation present trip for two weeks! Here's the lowdown:

May 26th: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 27th-June 2nd: Cruise to Princess Cays, Bahamas/Ocho Rios, Jamaica/Grand Cayman Islands /Cozumel, Mexico J
une 3rd: Islamorada, FL
June 4th:Bonita Springs, FL
June 5th:Clearwater Beach, FL
June 6th:Orlando, FL
June 7th and 8th:Cocoa Beach, FL
June 9th: HOME!

It should be awesome! I promise to come back with lots of pictures.

Before I go, I wanted to remind you all to write a letter to the The New York Times giving your opinion on Nina Planck's article, "Death by Veganism." Let's all make sure our voices are heard just like these wonderful vegans have. Oh, and check out some of these beautiful and healthy vegan children.

Have a great next couple of weeks!

I won something!

2007-05-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

I won a free copy of "The Damn Tasty Vegan Baking Guide!" YAY!

If you haven't heard of it, you must be living under a rock! Go check it out. Buy yourself a copy (and one for a friend) before they are sold out!

Also, check out Kris' blog...one of my favorites!

Thanks Kris :]

VEGAN Alfredo Love

2007-05-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

Isn't she beautiful? This is Alfredo Stroganoff with Marinated Bellas courtesy of Lachesis from the Post Punk kitchen forums. I still have to try her baked seitan that everyone is talking (or blogging) about.

It has been a craaaazy past couple of weeks, with graduation and all...but, I should have a few more pics to share before my 2 week vacation!! That's right, two weeks. The longest vacation I have ever had. We are going on a Caribbean cruise and then to Florida for a week. Which brings me to a question: Who can recommend vegetarian/vegan friendly places in FL?

Oh, and EXCITING news! I have met the one and only Leslie! So, maybe some pics will come from us getting together again.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

2007-04-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

I was accepted into graduate school!! I will be starting work on my MSW in the fall.

Hello there!

2007-04-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

How are you all?!

PPK Testers:

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins (I added walnuts and chocolate chips :])
Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango

And all me:

Gnocchi (pre-packaged) with tomato sauce and spinach
Strawberries with Soyatoo

I have been doing well. I have just been a little stressed lately with my last semester of college and working all of the time. I find out this weekend if I got into grad school (for Social Work) so keep your fingers and toes crossed!!

But, hey...if I don't get in-I am still going on a 2 week vacation (cruise and Florida) at the end of May! Plus, I am getting my Bachelor's degree...so that counts for something, right?

OH, speaking of cruises and bathing suits...I am trying to slim down. I decided to join http://www.1monthchallenge.com/. Check it out! My one month starts tomorrow...wish me luck!

<3

Banana Date Scones and Quick Fix Vegetarian

2007-03-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

This is a pic of a Banana Date Scone from the Post Punk Test Kitchen. They are SO yummy! This will be one of the most talked about recipes, mark my words!

Also, I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Quick Fix Vegetarian by Robin Robertson! Woo hoo! I already have Vegan Planet (like I'm sure all of you do) so I am excited to start cooking recipes from her latest book.

My first impressions: I love the layout of the book, it's very easy on the eyes. The recipes look really good and quick--something I totally need right now.

oh, and the recipes are actually all vegan!

Test 1 2 3 Test Test

2007-02-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

White Bean AioliRoasted Eggplant and Spinach Muffalatta
Baja Style Grilled Tempeh Tacos (but mine are made w/ seitan)

All from the PPK Test Kitchen. All delicious.

A little bit of everything...

2007-02-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Spinach Linguine with Basil Cilantro Pesto & Artichokes from the PPK test kitchen. I think I could eat this everyday of my life!
Banana Zucchini Muffins from Dreena's upcoming book. MMM :)

Seitan Meatballs-I will be making these on a regular basis.
Enchilada Casserole from The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.
Hope you all are well!

Homemade Chinese Food!

2007-01-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

This is the Fried Rice and Teriaki Tofu (but I used seitan) from The Vegetarian Family Cookbook. So good!

Recap of the End of 2006!

2007-01-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Here's what I've been making for the last couple of weeks or so:

PB Cookies from VwaV

Zucchini-Raisin Muffins from my *NEW* and wonderful cookbook The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

A *TESTER* from Dreena's new book called Mellow Lentil "Sniffle" Soup

Date Nut Diamonds from VwaV

Everything gets 2 thumbs up--especially the muffins!

Also for Christmas I received from my dearest boyfriend ::drum roll please::

Cuisinart DLC-10S Pro Classic 7 Cups Food Processor!

I hope everyone had a good holiday season!

Review: Mandala Tea Room in Scottsdale, AZ

2006-12-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

So, today is my real birthday. BUT, Matt and I both have work and school until very late--so, we did a lot of celebrating this weekend (including my bday party below).

Last night Matt took me to a place I have been wanting to go foreeever, but haven't because it's a little on the expensive side. It's an all vegan, all organic restaurant that specialized in teas of all kinds.

This is what we ordered:

ziti al forno (ME)
organic semolina pasta tossed with a creamy tofu ricotta cheese + spinach filling -- topped with house marinara sauce + nut parmesan cheese-served with toasted garlic foccacia bread includes side salad + dressing infusion of choice

mandala masala platter (MATT)
organic garbanzo beans, onions + tomatoes stewed to perfection with traditional Indian spices-served with brown rice + sautéed garlic spinach

I forgot the names of the teas we ordered, but I do remember they were magnificent!

Everything was REALLY good. We will for sure be going back for special occasions.

We took pics of our meals with Matt's camera phone-so, I'll post them later.

Fiesta-Themed B-Day Celebration!

2006-12-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful birthday party filled with the sweetest friends in the whole world...mine!

Here's some pics:

My wonderful friend made me a VEGAN Cookies and Cream birthday cake. Everyone ate it up. After they were done, we announced that it was vegan. haha The look on my omnivorous male friends was priceless. Thanks, Linds.

Another Tester Recipe

2006-11-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here's another one from the PPK test kitchen...Black Bean Burgers. They are sitting along side some slightly burned sweet potato fries.

Next time I'll remember to pick up some buns from the store!!

Happy Save the Turkeys Day!

2006-11-24T00:33:00.000-07:00

Seitan Pot Pie

Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Pie with Maple Glazed Pecans

Yummy NEW Testers and a new Veg*n Friend!

2006-11-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, it's been forevvvver again...but here we go...

*TESTER* Seitan Picatta with Olives from Isa & Terry's Upcoming new book.
Another *TESTER* Just the Cheez Sauce...not the broccoli :D

Food from a Vegan Raw Food potluck I went to with CaramelDate from the PPK Boards!
My new friend and I. She is such a sweetheart!! She even offered to make my birthday cake for my 23rd birthday party on Dec. 2nd!

Now, if I just meet Leslie--I'll know all the cool veg*ans in AZ!

Sorry I haven't had time to post or look at other blogs :( I have been SO busy.

Another Chimi!

2006-10-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

This is also a tester recipe from Dreena's upcoming book. All I can say is MmMmMm...

Lentil Veggie Chimichangas

2006-10-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

I just finished testing/eating Dreena's Lentil Veggie Chimichangas for her new book Eat, Drink and Be Vegan!

These were great and really different-tasting (in a good way!!). They were also easy to make, which I love. Did you expect anything else from Dreena, though?!

More *different* chimis to come ...

Weekend Munchies!

2006-10-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday wonderful Leslie let me know about the HUGE sale going on at our local co-op. They are moving to a new location, so yesterday they had 25% off of all of their produce and perishables. oh boy! I made a killing. Well, today I decided to go back (since it's their last day before the move) to see if they had lowered their prices any more. They had! 40% off all produce and perishables!

Here's what I got:
(As you can see-there wasn't much produce left when I got there.)

3 Amy's Roasted Veggie Pizzas (I have wanted to try these for FOREVER, but they are always so expensive!)
Ezekiel 4:9 Buns
Naked Green Machine
Earth Balance sticks
frozen organic peppers
two containers fresh organic raw salsa
Amy's Cali Burgers
Medjool Dates
Southwest Sunshine Burgers (sooo good! thanks, Les)
Kumbucha drink (for Matt)
Organic Valley Mild Cheddar

Total= $39.00

Not bad!

Tofu Scramble & Secret Test Recipe

2006-10-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of a lot of cooking! For brunch (when I got home from work at 1:20PM --Is that still brunch? LOL) , I made Tofu Scramble from the PPK. It was really good. Especially good since I actually followed the recipe this time and had all of the correct spices! For a late dinner, I made Baked Potato & Green Soup with Potato Wedge Croutons, which is a tester recipe from Isa and Terry's upcoming book. Mmmmm... good. I haven't had potato soup in I don't know how long and this really hit the spot!

The Great Date

2006-10-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

So, with inspiration from both Leslie and this post by the Fat Free Vegan, I've made something great with my locally-grown organic Medjool Dates. I used Leslie's base recipe for her bars of: dates, honey (she uses agave nectar) and oatmeal. For the first batch, I just mashed together the base recipe ingredients (no blender or food processor needed-yay!), formed the ingredients into balls, and then rolled them in coconut. For the second batch, I added raw sunflower seeds and almond butter to the base recipe mixture. Oh boy!! These were so awesome! They were a perfect snack to take over to Matt's brother's house tonight for some Nip/Tuck watching (we don' have a TV).

The reason the Lara Bars are in the picture is because they used to be my favorite snack...until I made these. Don't get me wrong, Lara Bars are great...but these are much more fresh tasting (Matt agrees) and a lot cheaper!

Bonus: Dates are a good source of fiber and potassium. Woo-hoo!

Food Crisis of the Moment!

2006-10-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

So, I just bought a bunch of dates after Leslie found out they were selling them for cheap at our local Co-op. Sounds great right?! Well, I don't have a food processor and our blender just broke! I was really really set on making some sort of date bars. Can it be done?

2006-09-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't been cooking too much lately, but here are some recent pics...

(1) black bean & spinach enchiladas w/ arugala salad and chips w/ guac

(2) pb apple bars from the new cookbook by isa & terry--The recipe is on the forum if you want to try them. Caution: Use a different crust. The one in the recipe is still being tweeked by Isa and by the current directions/ingredients it's really crumbly.
I made tacos tonight, so I might post a pic of them tomorrow.