Few favs

Just a quick post today,,, wanted to catch you up on three of my favourite things right now.

1. My little brothers cooking video on his blog. Just trust me on this ..... it is so worth two minutes of your life. Scroll to the bottom on the page and watch his video on making fruit kabobs. Just do it.

2. Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf- If you are vegan you will never go without at another holiday meal.... in fact some of the meat eaters may steal bites of your loaf!

3. Nog for the dairy free!!!! Celebrations are in order...this stuff is soo yummy I have developed a horrible habit of having some in my coffee every morning. I don't know what I am going to do when the holidays are over....

Speaking of the holidays.... am I the only slacker who has done nothing in preparation so far?? Might have to at least get the Christmas songs onto my ipod today...

Vegan Pumpkin Mac n' Cheese

From Arizona to snowy Spokane! It is official - the first snow storm of the season made its way to the inland northwest. It really does help set the mood for some hot chocolate and Christmas music though!

Not bad for the first storm of the year! It has now warm warmed up, so we are living in a sloppy mess until the next round of the white stuff. 

Who doesn't love to snuggle up to watch TV movies and eat warm gooey comfort food when snow is falling outside? Last night Mac N' Cheese was calling my name. If you have not yet figured it out I am a big fan of Angie over at Oh She Glows and this recipe is based on her Pumpkin Mac N' Cheese.

 Vegan Pumpkin Mac ‘n Cheeze 

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat Pasta

1 cup baby spinach

1 tbsp Earth Balance (or other non-dairy butter replacer)

3/4 cup milk (I love coconut)

1 tbsp arrowroot powder (flour will do the trick too)

1/4 tsp garlic salt

6 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 cup canned pumpkin

Kosher  & black pepper, to taste (I used 1/2 tsp salt)

Cinnamon

1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. Melt Earth balance in a pot over low-medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, arrowroot powder and garlic salt until clumps are gone. Add into pot and whisk.
3. Stir in nutritional yeast and pepper.  Whisk over low heat until thickened (only takes about 5 minutes).
4. Add in 1 cup of canned pumpkin and stir until combined and heated through.Your amazing cheeze sauce is complete!
5. When pasta is done stir fresh spinach into the water with the pasta for just a few seconds to allow spinach to wilt. Drain your pasta and spinach, return to saucepan and mix in cheeze sauce.Sprinkle on Cinnamon to taste.
6 Snuggle under a blanket and enjoy!

There is an Arizona!

Well, it has been so long it almost feels as if I am writing my first ever blog post. I am so very sorry to the small number of people that may actually look forward to new posts from me. promise I have not abandoned this project, just a little hiatus I suppose. So much has happened since we chatted last but instead of boring you with a long laundry list, I will just spend this post on our most recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona!

The first snow fall has officially arrived in Spokane, so an escape to a warmer climate was very welcomed. We were thoroughly enjoying the temps in the low 70's, while locals were bundling up in sweaters.




BBQ "Chicken" Sandwich. Vegan comfort food at Green, an all vegan restaurant in Tempe. One of my favourite things about traveling is discovering the array of veggie options in other cities.




Oh yes, we were those tourists! While locals bundled up, we rocked the convertible... it is what makes a work trip for Thor in to a bit more of a vacation.

Squinting in the sun! We attended "Fall Ball", minor league baseball.

Some of Thors newest fantasy baseball players.... what a dork!!! hehe

Feeling pretty cool!

On Saturday we drove up to Sedona, somehow I managed to snag the keys from Thor...

The red rocks of Sedona... Amazing!

Thor was not sure if he was impressed or terrified at my ability to take pictures, drink coffee and drive all at the same time. Women just multi-task better I guess...

More beautiful shots....

and more....

Cheese!

and more...

and more....

and more..

and more..... these pictures really make me want a high quality camera one day....

Sunset in Sedona. The cloudy day parted to give us the most spectacular sunset!

I am so grateful that I occasional get to tag along on these weekend work trips with Thor. Every place I travel I am so amazed b the beauty that surrounds us. Just another reminder at the spectacular gift that our world is.

Now it is back to reality in Spokane... the holiday season approaching quickly and TWO snow "storms" are headed our way. I think it is time to head to the kitchen for some warm vegan comfort food....