follow your heart

A family shower

I (semi) promised my G-ma that I’d post about our baby shower (although you’ll notice I made no such promise about how timely the post would be). [Me + G-ma] In truth, I didn’t take my camera because I was just going to soak up all the fun and family time.  But my aunt, cousins, sister, and mom did SUCH an outstanding job with everything – from the decor to the food – that I feel compelled to share.  I’ll include a vegan/gluten free dessert recipe, too (so it’s worth your while to read). iPhone… Read more >

Salad lunches

Sorry if you already saw this post.  It went up earlier somehow.  I don’t understand computers (clearly). Anyway.  I’ve been going through a salad-for-lunch-phase. As far as phases go, I don’t think it gets much healthier.  Unlike certain food ruts of the past (Earth Balance on everything, dessert after each meal of the day, etc.). So here are a few of my latest creations.   Mexi-chop.  I tried to model this one after The Veggie Grill’s Baja Fiesta salad.  That salad has “chopped romaine, papaya, avocado, roasted corn salsa, cucumber, cilantro, tortilla strips, and grilled… Read more >

Home for the Holidays on Christmas

12/25/12 Christmas morning!!!!!  Wee!!!  [It never gets old] I slept horribly all night, so I was up before anyone else.  Rather than peak at what Santa had stuffed in my stocking, I set to work on breakfast.  I made a huge batch of waffle batter and started the coffee (and made enough noise that Kyle and my dad were up soon thereafter). Once my sister and mom joined the party we all opened our stockings. Then we took a breakfast break. Waffles with the toppings: raspberries, blueberries, maple syrup & Earth Balance My sister made… Read more >

Overly FODMAPs heavy

You know what my LEAST favorite part about blogging is?  Thinking of post titles.  Seriously, I am depleted.  After 4+ or whatever years it seems like there’s nothing left.  So I always wait ‘til the end and then I sit there, waiting to hit publish, while I stare at “enter a post title” on the top of the page.  Most of the time I go one of two routes – either super cheesy (like really lame puns) or super boring (like the name of a recipe).  It’s a miracle if it’s remotely clever.  But hopefully… Read more >

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

  She’s a beauty, even before going into the oven! And after…   Just as lovely.  Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake [vegan, gluten free*] Ingredients: 3.5 oz. firm tofu (1/4 of a 14 oz. container) 4 oz. vegan cream cheese (FYH brand) 1 cup cashews, soaked, drained, & pureed + 1 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup cane sugar 1 tbsp. arrowroot 2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/8 tsp. salt 1 prepared graham cracker crust* Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Puree all the… Read more >