A Cowtown Vegan

A Vegan’s Vacation Planning

January is the perfect month to plan one’s summer vacation. With the dark days of winter looming over one’s spirit. It is fun to envision the future filled with sunlight and an assortment of relaxing days. This month is the best time to determine a break alone or with family and friends. Here are a couple of vegan vacation ideas.

Baltic Sea in July 2019

Planning one’s vacation can start with the vegan Baltic Sea Cruise. Never worry about carting luggage, when a ship with one’s room follows from city-to-city. This vegan voyage is an eleven day and ten-night cruise where one will visit eight cities in seven countries. The price includes all the vegan meals and snacks, and a host of other amenities. The best part is meeting new vegan friends. The ship MS Vasco Da Gama cruise will depart on July 22, 2019, and returns on August 1, 2019. One will want to rush and book their vegan dream vacation now. Below is the link.

https://www.vegan-cruises.co

Holistic Holiday at Sea

If one would rather stay closer to stateside, then the Holistic Holiday at Sea is the cruise for you. This vegan cruise happens once a year and departs from Miami. Holistic Holiday cruise only takes place once a year, and the lineup of educational speakers on the vegan lifestyle is fabulous. One’s itinerary will include all vegan meals and snack all the time, plus so many events. The Holistic Holiday at Sea offers an opportunity for one to take excursions and have the adventure of a lifetime. Below is the link to Holistic Holiday at Sea.

http://holisticholidayatsea.com/march-2019-sailing/

These two cruises are tailor-made for the curious vegan that does not want to lug their baggage with them from city to city while trying to find vegan meals. Also, one can relax knowing that the meals are compassionate, and then one can focus on learning, living, and exploring other cultures.

Enjoy life and plan one’s vacation to lift the spirit. Sending you love and light.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins

It looks like a cold weekend for most of the country. Make some delicious chocolate chip muffins and then bundle up with a good book. I used my food processor with the dough paddle and they turned out scrumptious.

Preheat oven 400 degrees
Place paper muffin cups into pans. Mix makes approximately 22 muffins.
Place dough paddle into food processor, and then place the four dry ingredients into food processor.

2 cups of self-rising flour
1/3 cup of light brown sugar
1/3 cup of organic sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

Turn on food processor and let it keep running while you add the following ingredients.

1/2 cup of Miyoko’s Vegan Butter – 1 tsp. at a time
2/3 cup of your favorite non-dairy milk
1 tsp. of vanilla extract

Let the food processor continue to mix while preparing the egg replacer.
Two tablespoons of egg replacer in another cup mixed with four tablespoons of water. Let sit one minute before adding. After a minute add egg replacer to mixture. (Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer)

Stop food process and scrape down sides. Then turn on food processor again.
Finally add 1 package of Enjoy Life ChocolateChips. https://enjoylifefoods.com/our-foods/baking-chocolate/
Turn off machine and scoop dough into muffin pans. Fill each with approximately 1/2 to 2/3 full of batter. Then bake 15 – 20 minutes.

If these bites are not sweet enough, make a simple glaze with this Epicurious Recipe. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/basic-sugar-glaze-51157020

Cuddle-up and don’t forget one’s pets need warmth. Sending you love and light.

A Vegan Discusses How to Help During the Government Shutdown

A central part of the vegan lifestyle is compassion for all creatures, and this includes our human friends that are affected by the shutdown. Over 800,000 people are affected by the shutdown, and whatever your political views, we all need to help.

Here are some tips that you can do alone or with your pool of co-workers and friends.

Donate to a food pantry.
For those that need help with pet food. Here are three places, government workers can receive free pet food with their Government ID. Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Humane Rescue Alliance Pet Pantry
Bark!
Kriser’s Natural Pet
Donate to repair national parks or volunteer.
Call and email one’s Representatives in Congress, and email the White House. Sometimes one believes that their voice is not heard. Nevertheless, there is power in numbers, and these elected officials cannot keep avoiding their constituents.
Do not forget to say, “thank you,” to TSA agents and other government workers that are not getting paid.
Lastly, if you know a Government worker that needs gas, a ride to work, child care, or medical attention, be the gift of love, and help.

Sending you and yours love and light. Remember compassion for all living creatures. Love lifts us all.

Vegan English Scones with Clotted Cream

One does not need to fly over the pond to indulge in the English scone and clotted cream. Thanks to my son in San Diego, who inspired me to transform these tiny biscuits into a vegan delicacy. The key is using cold butter, caster sugar (a fine sugar), and the self-rising flour.

Vegan Scone Recipe

Ingredients

3 ¾ cups of Self-Rising Flour
1/3 cup of Caster Sugar
¼ tsp. of kosher salt
1/3 cup of cold vegan butter (Miyoko’s butter)
1 cup of cashew milk (unsweetened)

Directions

Place the dough mixer paddle in a food processor. Add flour, sugar, and salt and mix for 30 seconds. Then add the vegan butter one teaspoon full at a time when the butter is combined with the dough and has a grainy appearance begin to slowly add the milk about an ounce at a time and let process for 15 seconds each ounce. A soft form dough should appear. Cover and place the ball of pastry in the refrigerator overnight.

Next Day

Preheat oven to 390 degrees.
Let dough sit out for 10 minutes. Then briefly knead dough.
Place dough out on a floured workspace and roll out 3/4 inch thick. Cut out scones using biscuit or cookie cutter. Place on non-stick tray and lightly brush with cashew milk on top. Bake for 12 minutes at 390 degrees, then turn the oven to broil and bake until the tops are golden brown (about a minute but watch them, so they do not burn).

Clotted Cream

Ingredients

2 ounces of Miyoko’s vegan butter
1/3 cup of powdered sugar
1 can of coconut milk – Place the can in the refrigerator overnight

Directions

Place butter and sifted powdered sugar in a bowl. Use a hand mixer to blend. Open can of coconut milk, and place all coconut fat from the top into the butter and sugar mix. (Do not use any of the liquid parts of the coconut milk.) Continue to blend until smooth. Cover and place in refrigerator until scones are ready. Can be made the night before.

Share your vegan treats with family or friends. Sending you love and light.

Three Vegan Sandwiches

Sandwiches and soup are perfect for a lazy Sunday. Preparing a variety of different sandwiches increases the delight of flavor in these tiny bites.

These sandwiches are made with Dave’s Organic Bread twenty-one whole grains and seeds. http://www.daveskillerbread.com/21-whole-grains-and-seeds/

Trim off all the crusty edges on the sandwiches and slice with a serrated knife into four rectangle slices. Creative cooks can use cookie cutters to make shapes.

The Onion Magic Recipe below is a delicious treat that you will want to add to numerous dishes. Onion Magic is scrumptious over cream cheese, in salads, and especially on sandwiches.

Sandwich One

Melt 3 tablespoons of vegan butter. Place butter on each side of bread. Then add Daiya Vegan Shreds (your choice) and cilantro on one side of bread. Place shreds with cilantro under the broiler until Daiya cheese melts. On the other side of the bread spread on guacamole (your choice), and top with thinly sliced tomatoes. Place the guacamole and cheese side together, and grill on each side until lightly brown.

Take off heat and let rest before slicing.

Sandwich Two

Use my vegan pimento cheese spread recipe posted here on December 21, 2018. Spread Vegenaise on each side of bread and then add pimento cheese. Slice. https://followyourheart.com/products/original-3/

Sandwich Three

Spread Vegenaise on two sides of bread. Place a slice of Tofurkey deli slice on sandwich. https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/deli-slices/smoked-ham/

On the other side spread a generous amount of Onion Magic (See recipe below). Then top with baby spinach and sliced tomatoes. Slice and enjoy.

Onion Magic Recipe

Slice super thin three large red onions.

Place two tablespoons of oil into a hot pan, then add onions, 1 ½ teaspoons of pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 ½ teaspoons of thyme.

Continue cooking on medium heat and stir frequently until onions caramelize about 35 minutes. Take off heat and add 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of agave nectar and combine. Let cool completely. Then place in refrigerator to use as a spread.

Potato Soup

The potato soup pictured is made from delicious root veggies. This soup is only 150 calories per serving. The recipe is available at the link below.
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/creamy-vegan-potato-soup/

A gentle reminder not to leave pets outside in the cold weather. They rely on us as stewards of their care.
Sending you love and light.

Vegans Love Living Healthy

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/10/health/high-fiber-diet-weight-loss-mortality-study-intl/index.html

CNN is reporting the benefits of a high fiber diet. What exactly is high fiber? The simple answer is fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, bread, grains, and nuts. All the items that vegans love!

A high-fiber diet is the leading dietary role in prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses. Fiber contributes to a lower risk of heart disease. High-fiber consumption can reduce blood pressure, help with weight loss, and decrease the risk of certain cancers. These amazing super-foods help with controlling blood sugar, and are a boost to one’s gastrointestinal functioning, Don’t take my word for it, check out all the peer-reviewed articles and studies available.

A List of a Few High Fiber Foods

Pears
Strawberries
Avocados
Apples
Rasberries
Bananas
Carrots
Beets
Broccoli
Artichoke
Brussel Sprouts
Lentils
Kidney Beans
Split Peas
Chick Peas
Quinoa
Oats
Popcorn
Almonds
Chia Seeds
Sweet Potatoes
Dark Chocolate

Layered Dip Recipe

Make your favorite Guacamole and place in bottom of glass or Vaishali’s Avocado Crema found at the link below https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-chili/
Add dollop of plant-based sour cream.
Add mix of black beans and pico de gallo
Top with chopped red bell pepper

Here is to a healthy new you! Sending you love and light.

Eating Out as a Vegan

Today, my discussion is on eating out. One of the most intimate experiences a person can have is eating out and socializing with friends. As a vegan, these times can be tough especially, if the restaurant is not vegan-friendly. Changing one’s mind and attitude is part of the vegan transformation. One does not have to indulge in food to have social involvement. The brain has been trained to connect food with intimacy. This practice is only perceived through one’s experiences — the personal relationship results from people sharing time, and not eating. If food were the source of friendship, one would never have to speak to another person to connect. Once one realizes that food is only an extra and not needed to have a personal relationship, then one can socialize without worrying about eating.

When eating out, one needs to know their options. Most of the time restaurants post menus on the web. If the restaurant does not have a menu, then one can call and ask if they have vegan dishes. If the restaurant does not offer a vegan choice, then eat before meeting up to keep the brain in a not hungry mode while meeting. Restaurants with their aromas of fats and sweets are temptations for the new vegan. Plan on only ordering a drink. Enjoy time with the other person or people. One can always eat at home. Remember that food is only secondary to the enjoyment of another individual. They are the reason one chooses to get together. Think of being mindful of the time with that person. Listen attentively, and enjoy the time together.

Eat compassionately and love intensely.

Personal Message to You

I am so honored and grateful that you are here! A big welcome to my blog followers, and to those of you who check in now and then. You lift my heart with love. It is because of you that I am inspired to continue. Thank you!

Sending you love and light as you continue your journey.