sickly

I thought I had escaped the illnesses of everyone around me. Jason was sick with a fever, sore throat, horrible cough, etc. for over a week (he still has the cough). A week had passed and I didn't get even a sniffle... until this past Thursday. I woke up with a sore throat and immediately sought after a cup of hot tea and my neti-pot. Then Friday the fever started...
I've been drinking water like it's my job. I just recently put some freshly grated ginger and lemon slices into the water to help me out. Tea and soup have been on the menu lately, too. This fever is killing me. Thank you very much to Zicam, which is definitely speeding up this cold! I'm starting to finally feel some sinus relief and can completely breathe out of my left nostril. Yesterday breathing was not happening through my nose at all. I was chewing like a cow. Awful and embarrassing. haha!
I hope that everyone else is feeling well. Any home remedies out there for the common cold that anyone would like to share? :)

Wild Basmati Rice Summer Salad

Ok so I've tweaked a recipe that I found in a magazine a while ago. I found that by making it with rice that I bought at Whole Foods (out of the containers) instead of a package of boxed rice, it's a lot healthier and (I think) much tastier. It's got a lot of flavor and texture. You can eat it hot or cold, but I prefer to let it sit in the fridge until its nice and chilly and the flavors have all had a chance to meld together. So without further ado, here is the recipe! :) I hope you like it!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup wild rice
1/2 cup basmati rice
2 cups vegetable broth (or you could use water, but the veggies give this a lot of flavor)
oil (for cooking and for drizzling later)*
1 pint cherry tomatoes (I use the orange ones because they're really sweet, but the red ones would work, too)
garlic (2-3 cloves, minced)
4 green onions, thinly chopped (greens and whites)
1/2 English cucumber, diced
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt & pepper to taste

* I used avocado oil to cook with and flax seed oil to drizzle with after cooking, but I have made this with JUST olive oil before and it's still fantastic!

Directions:

In a saucepan, heat the vegetable broth (or water) and 1 tablespoon of oil until boiling, add both types of rice and stir. Leave uncovered until broth comes to a boil again, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Stir occasionally while the rice cooks (about 20-25 minutes). The rice will be done when most of the broth is absorbed.

While the rice is cooking, in a saute pan, heat oil (on medium heat) and add cherry tomatoes with a little salt and pepper to taste. Stir/toss the tomatoes occasionally as they cook. You will know that they are all done cooking when all the tomatoes have popped and the juice from them has started to thicken. Add in the minced garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

So once the tomatoes and rice are all done cooking, stir the tomatoes into the rice. Add in the chopped green onions, cucumber, walnuts, lemon juice, oil, more salt and pepper (if needed) and stir until everything is mixed in well. Transfer to a serving bowl or store in the fridge to chill for an hour or so before eating.

soyabella.com

I drink TONS of soy, rice, hemp, and almond milks, seeing as I can't drink cow's milk. So apparently this website sells a machine you can use at home to make your own nut/soy milks. There is a way that I could make them at home, but it seems like so much work. I think this is going to be my next big purchase (once I save up some money for it). Anyway, if anyone else is interested you should take a look! It looks pretty cool, too. :)

it's been a while... let's talk TOFURKY!

I'm so sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've had a lot going on and even though I have been experimenting with new recipes, I haven't been posting about them. I promise to put some up here soon! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. As some of you know, I had my first Tofurky this year and I have to tell you it was DELICIOUS!! It smelled so good when I took it out of the package. Not real turkey, but it smelled pretty close to it! It has stuffing in it and everything! AND they also make a scrumptious mushroom gravy that I tried! :) This is definitely a new favorite and one meal that I will make when I don't really feel like spending a lot of time in front of the stove.

Here's the Tofurky website... they have a few different things on here that I'm interested in trying... like Tofurky Jurky! :)

http://www.tofurky.com/

The Kind Life

I don't know if any of you have heard of it, but it's based on the book The Kind Diet, by Alicia Silverstone. I'm just starting to read it right now. It's all about eating a plant-based diet to be kind to our bodies and the planet. Anyway, I went to the website www.thekindlife.com and they have some yummy-looking recipes there that I definitely want to try soon! So keep checking in, I'll be posting up some of my new adventures in the kitchen very soon! :)

Smooth White Grape Gazpacho

I got this one from Food Network and its yummier than I ever expected! Jason and I both just ate this. It took less than ten minutes to prep and have on the table! Jason said that he would just drink it out of a glass if I make it again. It's smooth and creamy. Hope you like it!

2-1/2 c seedless white grapes
1 c regular soy milk, chilled
1/2 c blanched slivered almonds
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
1 lime, juiced
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put soy milk and almonds in blender and puree until very smooth, about 2-3 min. With the motor running, slowly add the grapes, scallions, and lime juice; season with salt and pepper and puree until well blended. Pour into bowls and garnish with additional sliced grapes and chopped scallions.

easiest. recipe. ever.

Quick Apple Crisp

I've made this recipe a few times already. I love it! I got it from the cookbook 1,000 Vegan Recipes. It makes 6 servings and trust me you'll want to make more of it!

5 Granny Smith apples (I use Cortland), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup vegan margarine, softened

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9-inch square baking pan. Place the apples in the prepared pan. Drizzle the maple syrup and lemon juice over the apples and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp of the cinnamon. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, oats, walnuts, sugar, and the remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Use a pastry blender to cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread the topping over the apples and bake until bubbly and lightly browned on top, about 45 minutes. Serve warm.

I would post a picture of this, but Jason and I ate all of it before I decided to do this blog. Next time! :)