Eating Consciously

So, last time I left you guys with a bit of a cliffhanger. I told you about my fabulous tiramisu recipe, but I promised to deliver it in three parts. Well, here's part two! That means in the next post you get the actual recipe for the tiramisu ;) The real reason I decided to post this recipe in three parts was because I thought each of the individual components were solid enough to stand on their own and that their versatility could land them in a wide variety of uses. This recipe for Creamy Coconut Topping offers a less processed, less expensive, and more delicious alternative to store-bought soy whipped toppings. I'd say the texture of this Creame Coconut Topping is akin to Cool Whip and don't let the coconut scare you, its flavor is gentle and subtle in this context. Once you've mastered this technique, you'll never buy the ready-made stuff again! Creamy Coconut Topping 1 can full-fat coconut milk 1/4 C powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Place the coco

There's something about the perfect vanilla cake. It's such a versatile baked good because you can glaze it, frost it, toss some berries on it, or even use it as a base for tiramisu as I did! I set out to make the perfect tiramisu (which I did), but I ended up with the perfect vanilla cake as well. A bit healthier than your traditional vegan cake recipe, but it's certainly not lacking in the flavor or texture department. Very satisfying and simple without being bland. What I'm really excited to share with you is my Perfect Tiramisu recipe, but I'm going to lead you up to it in three parts. Today you get the vanilla cake, then I'll give you the yummy coconut cream topping, and finally, you'll get the tiramisu recipe. So, if you haven't done so already, now would be the perfect time to subscribe (hint, hint) to my blog so you don't miss the best tiramisu recipe ever. Better than nonvegan ;) Vanilla Cake 3/4 C sugar 1/4 C oil 1 TBS ground flax

I most certainly could not let an entire month go by without a blog post! As I'm sure you have gathered, I've been pretty busy these past few weeks. Beyond my fatal deer incident , my five spring courses started and to say I've been overwhelmed is an understatement. The light at the end of the tunnel is that by the end of this year, I'll be eligible to sit for the national registered dietitian examination! I wanted to share a quick and healthy recipe that will fuel you for these cold winter days. I picked up a bunch of bananas at the store the other day only to get home to see that my soy milk had completely crushed and smooshed all my bananas. So, when life hands you squished bananas, make banana bread! I found a bunch of loose ingredients that have been gathering dust for the past few months and the result was a slightly sweet bread that's satisfying and sustaining. Banana Bread 6 bananas, mashed 1/2 C soy milk 1 tsp vinegar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 TBS aga

Yesterday at around 3:30 PM, my partner and I were driving home from visiting our favorite sanctuary, Chenoa Manor . On our way home, we were traveling a busy highway moving along at about 65 MPH. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer ran frantically into the road and struck my Smart car head-on. There was no time to avoid the deer. I barely had time to attempt to hit the brakes. All I can remember is seeing the deer running like a bat out of hell across the highway, then a hard impact, and finally seeing the deer fly many feet into the air before flying over a guardrail and landing about 20 feet below into a steep ditch. I pulled over and ran to see where the deer had landed. Fortunately, she was already dead. I then proceeded to assess the damage to my vehicle. I haven't received an estimate yet, but I assume it will cost several thousands of dollars to repair. It then hit me that my partner and I were lucky to be alive because an animal that large traveling through our winds

One thing I've never been quite able to veganly perfect is French toast. Until now! Yes, I have come up with what I think is an absolute replica of the French toast I remember my Mom making as a child. Of course I substituted organic, whole wheat bread for Wonderbread, but the outcome was no less delectable. Can't wait to hear what you guys think! Be sure and post a comment after you try this recipe :) French Toast 1 C soymilk 1/4 block tofu 2 TBS sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast a touch of freshly grated nutmeg 8 slices of bread In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients and blend until as smooth as possible. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish that's big enough for you to dip the bread into. Heat a nonstick pan over med-high heat. Dip each piece of bread briefly into the mixture being sure to coat the entire piece. Immediately after coating with the mixture, place bread into the preheated pan. Allow to c

I received lots of interesting feedback after my last post , where I mentioned my efforts to educate the public concerning the "humane myth" of animal products that claim to have "higher standards." This opens the door for a much-needed debate and offers the perfect opportunity to make this blog a bit more multifaceted beyond just the food and recipes. I think it's important to offer a more thorough investigation into the theories that support veganism because ethical viewpoints are ultimately what drives one to stick with the lifestyle, in my opinion. There is a debate that has been going on for some time now in the animal rights movement and that is the controversy concerning "welfare" vs. abolition. I put the word "welfare" in quotations because I feel it really doesn't accurately describe what it is meant to imply in this application. I think animal husbandry is a more correct term, but to keep things simple I will use the terms

Since I started this blog over two years ago, I've noticed one thing has dramatically changed. Reflecting back over the last 200 or so posts, I've come to realize how thoughtfully I've refined and shifted my moral and ethical viewpoints. I started this blog right about the time I was making the leap to becoming a full-blown vegan. At the time of my becoming vegan, I had no idea how much I was still unaware of and where my new lifestyle would lead me. I'm proud to say now, that I not only consider myself a vegan, but I consider myself to be an animal rights activist. I used to shy away from concern for animals, especially when I was a mere vegetarian, but I am now confident and proud to admit that my main concern is for animals. Looking back, I think I just failed to realize how fundamentally unjust the world is for animals and how deeply concerned I was for their justice at heart. Starting out, I had little information and didn't feel comfortable debating comp