Hey There Pudding

Whenever I am able to leave my two kids home with my husband to do the grocery shopping, it becomes an enjoyable outing, as opposed to a stress-filled rushed one. A reminder, my daughters are four and one.

When I shop with them, its “I want this, I want that”. “She hit me!” I am sure if you have children of your own, you know how the rest goes. While I weave in and out of the tightly woven aisles trying to avoid hitting people as my oldest refuses to stop hanging on the side and almost knocking down products, my youngest cries and tries to kick her sister and begs for food. It becomes a race against the clock.

But, Trader Joe’s is known for its new products. A personal mission of mine to try the Vegetarian newcomers keeps me always on the prowl.

This latest shopping trip, as my children were at home, I was able to take my time and browse the aisles. Indeed, I found something new as usual, instant vanilla and chocolate pudding. The packaging sold me, simple design with a retro vintage style. Though the products are Vegetarian, they claim that the product will not set with use of soy or rice milk.
They didn’t mention almond.

For those who are Vegan and want to try these products, I chose to use almond milk. I placed the 2 cups of cold milk into a saucepan and added 1 Tbsp. of Arrowroot powder. I dissolved the powder in the milk and furthered reduced it to insure it was “milk” consistency. I also think using the soy creamer might work, as it is milk texture. Anyways, after reducing the milk, I allowed it to cool then placed it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. I then followed the remaining directions and found the product set as needed.

If you aren’t able to make your own pudding, and prefer a pudding that is soy free, this is a great alternative. It is simple, shelf stable, and pretty tasty. I think it’d make a great pie, though I just ate mine in a parfait cup with a dollop of Vegan whipped crème. Enjoy!

Delight of Donuts

It had been all too long since I indulged in a donut. The sweet dough, the icing, and the way it crumbled in my mouth, seemed a long ago thought, until recently.

From the end of September through the beginning of October, my family and I hopped a plane to visit my parents in the beautiful state of Washington. They moved about five years ago near the Case Inlet by the Puget Sound. It is absolutely gorgeous, and even more so during this visit with the vibrant colors of Autumn. Amazing red maple trees, variegated firs, and an orchestra of ferns struck a harmonious chord inside me that left my heart aglow. It was difficult to leave behind and return to our urban cement surroundings.

What made it even harder was again visiting Seattle, which has the allure of culture, media, and great restaurants. This time around we had the great delight of partaking in Vegan donuts from “Mighty O’ Donuts”. And how Mighty they were!

Mighty O’ Donuts is nestled among the Wallingford neighborhood area of Seattle. As we strolled down the sidewalks scattered with fall leaves, admiring the vintage Craftsman houses, we became in love with Seattle. An additional treat was the presence of the sweet aroma of freshly baked donuts wafting through the crisp air as we neared our destination. It was divine!

What began as a basement business selling to neighbors and local farmers markets in 2000, turned legitimate business during 2001 when Mighty O’s owners shared a commercial bakery spot with another company. It wasn’t until 2002 that they secured a spot in the historic building of Wallingford and have been selling their tasty treats since.

Growing up my dad would buy Winchell's donuts on Sundays before we headed to church. It was our weekly treat, as my mom did not allow sugary foods in the house during the week. My favorite were the chocolate covered long johns. So scrumptious.

Because of the nature and quality of donuts, I left them behind when I became Vegetarian. Though I have had the option of a refrigerated vegan donut company that used to be sold at my local Health food store, but they long ago discontinued them. Strangely enough, it seems my jobs are always located amongst these sweet little pastries shops with their incredible scent calling my name.

So heck, I indulged. Indeed I did! From Mint/Chocolate- Chocolate glazed, to Peanut butter swirl, and Cinnamon too, I indulged. Sprinkles, Nut covered, and Double Chocolate I tasted; and still wanted more. What started with one taste ended with nine leaving Mighty O’s doors. Had we have spent more time in Seattle; I’d have stopped by again. It’s not often I gorge myself on desserts, but felt the need to take more in!

Organic and all natural, and sweet as can be, Mighty O’ Donuts knocked the socks off of me!

When in Seattle do visit! http://www.mighthyo.com

Waste Not, Want Not!

Go Green!

We’ve all heard it…..Global Warming! While there are some people standing out with picket signs and getting political, most of us prefer to make changes quietly in our own home and support these needed changes on a ballot. Both are a great way to do the necessary!

Global warming, as most of you know, is one of the main environmental concerns of our time. Our Earth is heavily affected by all the pollution around us, and not able to cool down. Obviously, for every cause there is an affect. http://www.nasa.gov

How can you do your part? There are many! The more you do, the better. The more you can encourage others to do the same, can also make a phenomenal impact.

Below are some suggestions I encourage you to try or to pass along to others. If you have some suggestions of your own that you feel would be of benefit to pass along to my readers, please leave a comment/suggestion.

1. Compost- turns your food waste into rich soil for your garden and in turn eliminates
some of our landfill issues. For a list of what’s compostable visit:
http://www.greenlivingtips.com

2. Reuse- reusing not only helps with less waste, you will keep more money in your
pocket….especially in an economy like today’s.

3. Recycle- Buy recycled products. Additionally, what you think is trash can be made
into treasure. For a list of recycables visit:
http://www.greenlivingtips.com


4. Reduce- don’t think you need to keep up with the Jones’s. Think supply and demand.
The less we demand, the less is being created in factories (saving energy costs)
Additionally it helps with keeping money in your pocket.

5. Support “Green” Business- Companies that are conscious about producing goods
without pesticides and herbicides, companies that donate money to charitable causes,
companies that practice environmental consciousness- are the businesses we should
support. http://www.grist.com

6. Buy Organic- products not created or grown with pesticides/ herbicides only better
the condition of our soil, air, water, etc. If you don’t see organic at your local market-
request that they carry some. http://www.saferbrand.com

7. Support Local Farmers- food taste best when it hasn’t traveled very far. By supporting
local vendors/farmers, there will be less transportation of goods= less pollution

8. Buy BPA free plastic- http://www.bisphenol-a.org

9. Eat Vegetarian- Even if you don’t want to convert to being Vegetarian, eating this way
puts less constraints on the Earth. Try it even at one meal.

10. Buy Fair Trade Products- http://www.globalexhange.org

11. Make Sun Tea- less waste because you’re heating by the Sun versus by gas/electric.

12. Unplug Plugs- less electricity use

13. Drive a fuel efficient car or keep yours running well- remember to get your smog
check- this eliminates unwanted air pollution, etc.

14. Substainable products/ landscaping- less water usage. Ask your local nursery for a
list of substainable agriculture/ plants. Remember: Don’t use poisons- they end up
in our oceans. Ask your nursery or look online to get rid of unwanted garden pests.

15. Follow your local water day policys- there’s a reason for it, it’s not to inconvience
you.

16. Dehydrate or Can= Less Food Waste, less demand

17. Fix Leaks/ Take Shorter Showers- Less H20 waste

18. Use a tankless water heater- less water use

19. Replace Light Bulbs for Earth Friendly lightbulbs- http://www.energystar.gov
or http://www.ecofriendlylightbulbs.go.uk

20. Use Blankets instead of a heater and open windows for fresh breeze instead of air
conditioning.

21. Insulate and use reflective material in your attic/home. Keeps you cool in the
Summer/ Warm in the Winter and also is a tax right off!

22. Use a Push Mower- less air pollution, (noise and gasoline), also exercises your body.
http://www.ezinearticles.com

23. Use Canvas Bags when you shop- Plastic takes a long time to decompose and Paper
kills our trees….canvas is reusable!

24. Run/Bike/Walk/Carpool- this has a great affect on our carbon print we leave behind.
What’s a carbon print? Visit- http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/


25. Don’t flush the toilet as often unless it’s #2. -Water saving technique.
http://www.watersavingtips.org/saving.html

26. Re-use gray water- ex: collect water in a bucket while showering and use it to water
your garden.

27. Buy in Bulk

28. Wind/ Solar Power- http://www.homepower.com

29. Re-dye old clothing to make them look new again.

30. Buy Earth Friendly cookware- http://www.eartheasy.com


****Related Video*****
Al Gores- “An Inconvient Truth”

****Related Websites***
http://www.re-sources.org
http://www.treehugger.com
http://www.substainablebusiness.com

Thanks for doing your part!

Butternut, Swiss Chard, and White Bean Soup

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped medium
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
16 ounces of canned white beans
8 cups vegetable stock
Pepper
1 tsp. Fresh rosemary, chopped
2 cups butternut squash, diced
4 garlic cloves, sliced
Salt and pepper
4 cups swiss chard leaves, chopped
1-2 cups vegetable stock for thinning soup
1/2 cup Soy Supreme Sour Cream (by tofutti)
1 cup of croutons

Directions:
Sauté onion, celery, and carrot in olive oil until softened trying not to let brown. Add in white beans, rosemary sprig, thyme sprig, vegetable stock, and pepper. Bring to a boil and then allow simmering for 10 minutes. Add in the butternut squash, garlic, fresh rosemary, minced garlic and salt and pepper to taste. With the lid on, allow to cook for another 20 minutes. Stir in swiss chard just before serving and use remaining vegetable stock to thin soup if too thick. Pull out sprigs of rosemary, and thyme. Add the salt to correct seasonings. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and croutons.

Yields: 6 servings

Pining Away in My Cave

Sitting listening to The Innocence Mission, in my “cave office”, literally a converted closet, I sit idly waiting for students to tutor growing ever more impatient and disgusted at getting paid to watch the clock, when my heart and soul ache to involve myself with what I am most passionate about; three things: My husband, my kids, and food.

With this economy, my day job was shifted this last January from a chaotic, social, and festive atmosphere in which I thrive, to a quiet, lonely, and seldom working Federally funded program- a safety net of a job (of which I appreciate being employed even with it’s downsides), where I am tormented by hours of solitude. So I fill my hours with reading, writing, dreaming, and thinking of food.

Come afternoon I am happily reunited with kids and can dive into fulfilling activities and culinary creations- be that blogging, working on new recipes, a cookbook, or my side business; For Cake Sake.

I know I write mostly of desserts, hence the title of my blog: fordessertsake.blogspot.com, but I also love savory food.

My husband and I were blessed this last year to be able to buy hour first house. We have been daily laboring on it because of the dilapidated condition in which we purchased it. We have, particularly of late, been seeing the fruits of our labor, literally!

My daughter Mallory picked her first Ruby Red Strawberry yesterday. She so graciously allowed us to divide it into fours so we could all get a taste…. but snuck her dad’s portion with a glint of teasing in her eye before he could enjoy his portion. It was a sweet and supple berry.

Our Babcock white peach tree is growing nicely and should provide us with fruit shortly. Our garden is flourishing and we have enjoyed many dinners contain the organic vegetables from our raised beds: yellow squash, mesculin, spinach, red/green leaf lettuce, swiss chard, and cilantro. We are patiently waiting for our tomatoes, bell peppers, varigated carrots, beets, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, zucchini, boysenberries, basil, sage, oregano, avocados, and radishes. Next time we will plant more.

It is so thrilling and rewarding! The robust flavor is exquisite right from the soil, and puts store bought produce to shame.

In addition, we are composting. Something I’ve always wanted to do. On trash day, Tuesdays, you get a true sense of what is actually trash. We have three bins: recyclable, trash, and compost. Our trash is so minimal in comparison to the size of the other bins, and leaves me with a tinge of pride in doing my part to help with the environment. If only a large portion of households were able to do the same, I think we could make a dent!

I am attaching a recipe for Butternut, Swiss Chard, and White Bean Soup. We enjoyed it recently with some Organic vegetables from our garden. We accompanied the soup with cornbread and a fresh salad. Though it is almost Summertime, this June gloom brings some days where soup is still welcomed.

Ain't That The Truth!

My momma always said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get". - Forrest Gump

Gelatin Free Jello

Thunder claps in the sky and the rain sweetens my garden soil. I find myself inside today nuturing my sick little girls. A hot bowl of Vegan Chicken Dumpling Soup, Chowder Crackers, and some Vegan Jello are great provisions.

My dear friend Brianne, who is due with her second child any day now, suggested the Vegan Jello at Trader Joe's. Her two year old son Jonah gobbles the stuff up. Knowing that I want healthy snacks for my kids, and something to mimic what their non-vegetarian friends have, I scoured the shelves for it on my next grocery excursion.

Both my daughters devoured it upon arriving home. Curious at the texture and flavor, I enjoyed one myself. My husband who is not much for jello also loved it !

The jello comes in a four pack for only $2.49. I have only seen two flavors thus far: Black Cherry and Peach Mango

Ingredients of filtered water, sugar, carrageenan, natural flavors, Peach colors: (tumeric and annatto), sodium citrate, malic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha tocopherols (vitamin E), Black Cherry colors: (beet juice, caramel, and annatto)- Gelatin Free!

Full of vitamin C, these are better than trying to coax your kid into taking a vitamin, and they're delicious!