If you’re looking for the vegan treats, they’re way down below. But before you head down there, I want to talk a little about community and collaborations! I’ll make it short and sweet.
Sometimes, we can get wrapped up in our heads and become easily isolated (it’s espcieally hard if you’re a driven workaholic like yours truly). The very BEST remedy for this is reaching out and connecting with others. Especially those who have the same values and mindset as you.
I had the oppurutnity to meet up with my long time friend, Sedona Rae, that I haven’t seen in years. The other week she came over and we talked at a lcoal cafe, grocery shopped then baked for what seems to be hours. And WOW, that was the breathe of fresh air that I needed. Sedona is a creative spirit with such a passionate heart for travel, environmental preservation and FOOD! She’s witty, honest, free-spirited and one of those friends who you can talk to for hours without ever getting bored. Check out her beautiful new blog by click here!
Vegan Interview
Here, she honestly answers some questions about her vegan journey thus far. And I must say, her laid back attitude about veganism is something to take note on (this lifestyle doesn’t have to be stressful and dramatic).
1. How long have you been a v e g a n ?
So I’ve gone back and forth a little bit. I first started doing my research in 2015, two years ago, and right after I became a vegetarian I jumped into being vegan. I took it a little too fast though, and didn’t stay a strict vegan. So I’ve been vegetarian for over two years, and am just now venturing back into being 100% vegan.
2. Why did you decide to become a v e g a n ?
It was actually climate change! I took an environmentally focused communications class and did a lot of research regarding climate change. This brought me to Cowspiracy, which was mind-blowing to me. I never realized how much of an impact the animal ag industry had on not only animals, but the environment and like literally everything. And none of it is a good impact. Then I watched Forks Over Knives, and finally Earthlings. Earthlings was devastating to me because of the raw footage of animal abuse. So I changed my habits because of the environment, because of animal welfare, and for health reasons.
3. What was the hardest part of going v e g a n ?
There’s the social aspect, since very few of my friends are vegan, it’s hard to go out to eat somewhere where there’s nothing on the menu that you can eat. It’s easy in that situation to be like “Oh, just this once I’m going to order this and that’s not so bad” but that totally derails your whole journey. You have to be outspoken about going to places that have vegan-friendly options (and there are a TON of places like this!)
Another thing that’s really difficult to me is hearing people talk about the environment and animal welfare and say they care so much about these things, but ignore the fact that animal agriculture is like the biggest cause of the issues in these areas. Hearing people say “Well yeah I know it’s bad, but I just love bacon.” Hearing something like that is really frustrating.
4. What was the best, most rewarding part of going v e g a n ?
This sounds so selfish, but we’re being honest here. To know that you’re doing something that’s making a difference, even if it’s small! It feels so good to know that you are making a positive impact, and maybe alleviating some of the cruelty in the animal industry. My other favorite part is sharing vegan foods with my friends that aren’t vegan, and their reactions. When people are like “OMG, I would never know! This is amazing” I love that. It’s really cool to share information with people about veganism or vegan recipes they might not have known before.
5. What food do you miss the most?
Okay don’t judge me but Chinese food for sure. Have you ever been to a Chinese restaurant that serves vegan orange chicken?! Can we change this??! Gardein makes an amazing one to make at home (my not-vegan roommate said she likes it more than the real thing) but I just want to be able to order vegan Chinese takeout is that too much to ask.
6. What’s your all-time favorite v e g a n recipe?
Okay I have two. One is the chocolate banana bread we made together, I literally cannot say enough good things about it. The other is this recipe for a bowl made of the most amazing rice. It’s cooked with coconut milk instead of water and it’s SO GOOD. And topped with the best tofu, avocado, and mango.
Holiday Sweet Treats
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Cookies
A sweet vegan treat for holiday get togethers : )
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 3 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp applesauce
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup vegan chocolate (for melting )
- 1 cup pretzels
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Add all remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir to form a dough. 3. Roll into cookie balls. Press a pretzal on top of each cookie dough.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 8 minutes on parachament paper. The cookies will look underdone when you take them out. Let cool for at least 10 minutes.
5. Melt chocolate by adding water in a pan and putting a glass bowl over it. Add chocolate chip and coconut oil. Stir until melted.
6. Dip or spoon chocolate so that it cover’s half the cookie.
7. Place on parchament paper and let chocolate harden before eating (30 mins?)
Inspired by Chocolate Covered Katie .
Vegan Double Chocolate Banana Bread
If you’re looking for a rich, decadent chocolate fix. Look no further. This vegan banana bread will be the perfect showstopper.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp flaxseed meal
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup dutch process cocoa
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips
- INSTRUCTIONS
-
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an approximately 9-by-5 inch loaf pan (I never check the dimensions, is that bad?) with cooking spray and set aside.
In a smaller bowl, mix together flax seed meal and water. Let it sit while you mix the other ingredients. It might separate, just mix again.
In a larger bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
In another large bowl, mash ripe bananas with a masher. Or fork, if you want a fore-arm workout. Add melted coconut oil and stir until combined. Add in sugar, flaxseed mixture, and vanilla. Stir until well-combined.
Stir the flour/dry ingredients into the banana/wet ingredients. Stir in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into your loaf pan. Sprinkle the rest of your chocolate chips (or however many you want. I used more than that for sure.) Bake for 65 minutes, or until a toothpick (or fork, if you’re like me and don’t own toothpicks for some reason) inserted into the center comes out clean. Or, mostly clean. There are melted chocolate chips involved here.
Let cool for about 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and remove from pan. Continue to let cool. Then ENJOY! Responsibly (don’t eat the whole loaf like I did)
Holiday Party Sangria
Get the holiday party started with this refreshing festive drink!
- 1 750 ml bottle white wine (we used a Pinot Grigio but you can experiment)
- 1 bottle sparkling apple cider
- 1 Granny Smith apple (diced)
- 1 gala apple (diced)
- 1 cup cranberries
- 2 tangerines (sliced)
-
1 .Cut up fruit.
2. Portion out in glasses, or pitcher, to look aesthetically pleasing (a lot of creative freedom here).
3. Mix the wine and sparkling apple cider. We did half and half, but you can experiment with your portions as well.
Enjoy festively! (and responsibly, for real this time.)
