Happy Spring Break!!!!

After Karah and I pretty much bum-rushed our students to get to the bus, we landed in Rosslyn hungry and high off spring break hormones. Naturally as a new "vegan" I had to do my research and realllly think about what I was going to eat before I stepped out, and I'm glad that I did. I didn't want to eat a salad, so knew my choices would be limited to french fries and a veggie burger if we headed to an American eatery, Burritos if we chose Mexican and hmmmm what else?

I thought a second longer and magically I remember SUSHI. Yes, sushi. Rice wrapped in seaweed (thank for the clarification Karah) and fresh veggies. YUM!!!! We landed at Cafe Asia and I ordered the veggie sushi combo. It had avocado, celery, artichokes, 'shrooms, and carrots all wrapped up like present. Talk about a party in my mouth. Although the meal looks small, it was surprisingly filling. Add a great conversation, plenty of brainstorming and it equaled out to the perfect start to my spring break.

Oyasuminasai!

Info on Sushi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi

My vegan life: One week and counting.

For all of y'all who think vegans don't eat and turn into skinny little thangs - I'm here to destroy that urban myth right now, well sorta lol. While I have eaten way more yet, higher quality foods this week than in the past few months, I have lost about 3 pounds. This is just in time for my sister's wedding in Jamaica; thong, string bikini here I come!!!! Just kidding - I don't think that I'll EVER be ready for that.

Anyway, back to food. I was on American University's campus and guess what I saw.... A FARMER'S MARKET!!!! Right smack in the middle of campus. Talk about meeting the needs of the community. They had leeks, oranges, yams, kale, garlic and a variety of other fruits and veggies. I personally purchased the Kale, yams, Brussel sprouts, popcorn, and an orange. All for about 10 bucks.

In addition to the fresh produce, there were employees willing to help out with any questions that the student/shoppers had. For example, I didn't know how to cook brussel sprouts (No, nuking Green Giant’s Brussel Sprouts in Butter Sauce does not count ascooking), so two of the guys working there gave me a few pointers. I also over heard Rebekah Anderson, an employee of Agora farm and AU student help brainstorm with another student about roof-top farming. In all honesty, I think that every university should have a Farmer' Market. I mean isn’t it their goal to properly educate the future of America?

Now as most of you know, I went to Howard which is according to Google maps, 5.8 miles away from AU and the last time I checked there wasn't one there. When I asked Rebekah, who is studying food security, about this, she said that they approached the folks at HU and after saying that they were comparing farms, no one followed up with them (flashback to the A bldg :-/). Come on man..... Howard get it together!!! We can't continue to get in our own way. I wonder if they realize the link between proper education and food? I digress. In conclusion, I’ve had an awesomely delicious week. I’ve even begun to consider keeping my diet animal free, but that’s to be seen……18 more days left to go ☺

Resources:

Link to AU’s farmer’s market webpage: http://www.american.edu/hr/Farmers-Market.cfm

Farmer’s Markets in DC: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17047-2004May11.html

The Vegan Resource group: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/vegan.htm

Day 2 of 21...

As I eat the peanut butter from the jar... I thank God that it's vegan. Hahaha!

My vegan life ?????

Day 1 of 21 as a vegan… and it was great! What?!?! Okay, so I’ve decided that for the next 21 days that I would forgo the pleasures of meat and dairy products. This is an idea that I’ve been toying with for the last few months, but was not ready to commit to it. Now, I’m still not ready to commit, but I’m ready to give it a try. So what made day one great, better yet, delicious? Two words - Seasoned Vegan.


Unforeseen circumstances landed Danielle and I in NY early this week. Luckily all went well, and we were able to grab a bite to eat. I checked Yelp for Vegan restaurants and amidst several listing for Vegan restaurants in NY, I decided to go with Seasoned Vegan – it was in Harlem, served soul food, was vegan, and had 5 stars. Since it was on our way our location, Danielle and I decided to give it a try – man am I glad that we did.

Seasoned Vegan is located within Lee Lee’s Bakery on 118th and 8th Ave – a quaint little shop in the middle of Harlem. Being that this was day one for me, I didn’t want to feel deprived, and I wasn't. We walked in and found out that it was Italian Wednesday, I was hoping for soul food, but honestly by the time that I got there, I didn’t care. Danielle and I both ordered the “Meat”balls with spaghetti, and for our sides, sautéed broccoli and stuffed Portobello mushrooms.

OMG! It might not have technically been soul food, but between the ambiance and the meal, I felt like I was at home, around loved ones. I judge a good meal by how delicious it is when I eat it, the company I'm with, customer service and how energized I feel after wards. I give this place a 5 star rating all around.

The ingredients were all organic and fresh and every bite tasted like it was. There was no additional salt added to the meal and with all of the wonderful spices blended within the sauces and veggies, I honestly didn’t need it. Even before she knew that I blogged, Ms. Brenda, came over and chatted with us about her food, and it was obvious that she took care to prepare each and every item. She spoke with us about the importance of putting good things in your body - when she started talking like that, y'all know that I was sold. On top of that, she also let us sample the other items that were available - what a gracious host.

So... Whenever your in Harlem please make sure that you drop by Seasoned Vegan located at Lee Lees. Be sure to tell her that Stephanie and Danielle from DC sent you. Oh yes: and after you have a deliciously vegan meal from Seasoned Vegan, please be sure to grab a cup of homemade Ginger beer from Lee Lee's it was simply divine :-)

Here's the yelp link: Seasoned Vegan Harlem

Mid Afternoon snack: Apples and Peanut butter vs Christine's chocolate.

1-11-11

Since there are soooo many 1's in today's date, I'm going to celebrate it as a New Year. A sort of do over if you will... My love of yummy treats and new found love of baking has led me astray, so starting today (again) I'm going to try and do better. Normally around this time of day I'd be eating a piece (or 3) of chocolate that my boss graciously keeps in her office. Today, I chose something better, something that won't contribute to my sugar crash 20 minutes later. I chose ( drum roll please...) Apple slices dipped in peanut butter.

Before you roll your eyes... hear me out. It's delicious, filling, healthy and will remedy any midday craving for sweets. Oh and dd I mention very inexpensive?

Health benefits:

Apples:

1. Help to regulate blood sugar
2. Good source of fiber
3. Full of anti-oxidants
4. Regular intake of apples decrease cholesterol
5. Benefits for several different cancer types esp colon and breast cancer.

Natural Peanut Butter

1. Eating peanuts can lower your risk for coronary heart disease
2. High in protein
3. Good source of fiber
4. Good for your skin
5. Peanuts have a nutrient called Resveratrol, which helps to ward off potential pathogens (bacteria, virii and fungi).

Give it a try!


http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=15&tname=foodspice

http://articles.cnn.com/2007-11-06/health/cl.healthful.foods_1_peanut-butter-rice-cakes-source-of-trans-fats?_s=PM:HEALTH

http://peanut-butter.org/peanut-butter/Health+Benefits+of+Peanut+Butter

Week 1 back to school.

First week back to work. I had all intentions of writing about how shitty my week has been, but I changed my mind. Without a doubt, it was stressful and a bit overwhelming, but it was also had it's beautiful moments. Without further a-do here they are....

1. On Thursday I asked Tracy to pick up something sweet, like a cookie, from the grocery store.... and she delivers, right to my desk, a huge ass chunk of chocolate cake. Isn't there something in the Bible about asking and your blessings being multiplied? -Perfect Example.

2. Receiving a surprise purple scarf in the mail from my homie Dionne.

3. The mid-week splash at Rhino with Jen, Court, Karah, Allie and Stacie... because none of us thought that we could make it to Friday. (Mind you, we planned this on Monday)

4. Turning around mid-splash and mid-story at Rhino and seeing my boo walk in.

5. Baking my zucchini muffins on Monday night and having my co-workers rave about them on Tuesday morning. It's good for the ego :-)

6. Walking down U street with my new friends Carmen and Sebastian of The Barefoot Collective. We ate salad, soup and hummus at Busboys; spoke of love, travel and revolution. After it all, they took out their drum and guitar and sang me a song on the corner of 14th and V. ~magical.

7. Lawrence's Blog was featured on Martha Stewart's "Living Today" radio show.


8. The fire alarm at school that went off at 7:50am because one of the students burned popcorn in the microwave. Breakfast of champions eh? Btw.... who eats microwave popcorn at 7am?

9. Listening to Kristin's student try to convince her to stay... and watch her try not to get too emotional.

10. Connecting with my fam in random different ways... Mom's cellphone video of the snow shower in Co-op, Danielle I and chatting about the beauty and dangers of loving learning how to cook, Mike's rapid fire conversations and my in-car, speakerphone chats with Dad, surprise convo with Shan.

Well people..... Make it a great weekend <3

Winter Stew

I've been off work for almost 2 weeks now, and dammit it feels good...

Earlier this week I made a bomb-ass stew that filled me up and left me feeling satisfied. What more could you want on a Monday night? Football you say... Yup that was on too. I got this recipe from "Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. Funny thing is... I purchase this book about two years ago whilst on my quest to becoming a well rounded, single, independent woman, and I hadn't pick it up since. Hmmm I wonder what that says about me?

Anyway, on to the "Cholent" stew:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion chopped
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 teaspoon tarragon ( I got mine at Yes! Organic $2 per OZ)
1 teaspoon Caraway seeds (Yes! Organic again 3.99)
1 teaspoon of salt
Several pinches of freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup of red wine, water or veggie broth ( I used mushroom broth)
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup of french lentils ( I used regular lentils)
1 cup peeled sliced carrots ( about 1/2 inch thick)
4 medium sized potatoes peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks
1 (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce
3 cups of water
1 cup TVP chunks ( I used the chick'n cutlet kind, but the stre really doesn't need it)
1 cup of frozen Lima or green peas ( I used the greed peas,I don't mess with the limas)
1 (15 ounce) Can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed


Preheat a large soup pot over medium heat. Saute the onions in the oil until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, Tarragon, caraway seeds, salt and pepper. Saute until the garlic is fragrant, about a minute more.

Deglaze the pot ( pour the liquid over the herbs and spices) with the red wine or whatever you chose. Add the bay leaves, lentil, carrots, potatoes, tomato sauce, water, and TVP chunks. Mix together. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

Add the lima (or green peas) and kidney and cook until heated through.

Then ... Eat up. The soup is really good and even better the next day.