the Dirty Vegan

Hello, From BabyVille!

2013-03-31T14:51:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone! I wanted to check in and let you all know that mom, baby, (and dad too) are all well! I am recovering from a c-section. Baby was in a breech position, one that would have made it potentially dangerous for her if we tried to deliver vaginally, therefore we did a planned cesarean and all went well! I didn't even need any pain meds...well, I refused them, I probably could have used them, but as they say, "Mind over Matter".

I am planning my upcoming blog posts for later this week so keep an eye out for them. Right now we are enjoying our little family, nurturing baby, and I am recovering. We are over-the-moon happy and in love with our wonderful baby!

The baby is healthy, happy, and gorgeous! She is thriving on my vegan breast-milk, and I that is working out really well for us. I am eating like a maniac, I actually have a huge appetite even more so than when I was pregnant. I am still taking my vegan prenatal vitamins and I am also drinking Mother's Milk tea, which really has the milk pouring out like mad. Sorry for the details, but if it helps other mothers out there who are breastfeeding, I'm glad I shared. This tea is organic, vegan-friendly, herbal, caffeine-free, kosher, and safe for mom and baby.

Okay Folks, I'm going to get back to my little angel now. Teaser: the next blog post will be my special trick on how to get rid of postpartum bloat. Works like a charm! And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Lots of love and sweet baby smiles to you!

2013-03-21T06:15:00.000-04:00

Having a baby! Wish us luck!!!

Make Candy Bird's Nests! Kiddo Friendly!

2013-03-20T06:56:00.000-04:00

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. -Chinese Proverb

This recipe is so much fun! This is such a great recipe to make with your kiddos, whether you are a parent, teacher, caregiver, babysitter, or a big kid yourself. There are lots of things that your children can help with, like mixing the nests, molding the bird's nests, spreading the chocolate, and decorating with jelly beans. Just be sure that you let your ingredients cool before you or your child start messing with them with your hands.

Happy Spring 'Peanut Butter & Chocolate Granola Cereal Bird's Nests'

recipes makes 16 nests

What you will need:

2 cups granola (I used Nutty Steph's Vermont Granola)
2 cups of your favorite cereal (I used Erewhon's Crispy Brown Rice & Trader Joe's O's)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup vegan cane sugar
3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (think about texture when choosing cereal and pb, it makes your nests more beautiful)
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
splash of almond milk
About 80 of your favorite vegan jelly beans, about 1/4 of the bag
1 tbsp vegan butter, for hand buttering (I used Earth balance. Great for hand buttering!)
1/3 cup measuring cup for molding nests with
baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I always use If You Care brand)

What you will need to do:

In a large mixing bowl, combine granola and cereal. In a saucepan on low heat, melt maple syrup and cane sugar until smooth, then add peanut butter. Continue mixing until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and let sit for a few moments so that your mixture is not too hot to handle. Butter your fingers and hands with the vegan butter. Pour sugary peanut butter mixture into your granola and cereal bowl. Mix and mash with your hands until it seems good enough for forming nests with. Take your 1/3 cup measuring cup and scoop some mixture, indent the middle with your finger, packing down into the cup, then tip cup over in the palm of your hand, placing the indent-side up on your parchment paper. Once you make all of your nests, place in the freezer to set while you melt chocolate chips and almond milk in a saucepan on low heat, making a thick ganache and let it cool for a little bit. Decorate the tops of the nests by spreading chocolate on top with a spoon (when ganache is cool enough to work with), and placing jelly beans on top. Place these in the freezer (or refrigerator for longer) for a moment or two to set, then enjoy! You can also color shredded coconut and place these on a serving dish for a pretty presentation.

Or you can use shredded brussels sprouts for "grass" like I did!

This is also a great opportunity to talk to your children about nature. You can make this a fun activity about nature. If it is a nice day outside, maybe take your nests, chocolate, and jelly beans outside to decorate them on your deck while you look at birds and nature together. Or you may want to talk to your children about birds and tell them some nature facts like, "There are about 9,865 species of birds alive today.". Or, "The largest bird egg produced is by the Ostrich, and it can measure up to 9 inches long.". You may also want to talk to your children about how birds start their families by laying eggs and caring for their babies in their nests once they grow out of the eggs. Starting this respect and understanding for nature early, makes it easier when your children grow and wonder why you don't eat eggs in your household. You can then refer back to your discussions about animals and their lives. Knowledge is power! Talk with your children and you will be surprised on how they will come to their own conclusions about this. In the end, no one really wants to hurt another living being. If you provide alternatives, eating animal products seems like an odd concept and outside of the norm. Making these fun and yummy bird's nests, offers a great chance to have a thoughtful discussion about nature and possibly observe nature while you are doing so. If you are making and decorating these nests indoors, later on you may want to take some outside with you and enjoy them with your child in the park. These can also be a fun Easter dessert. Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Granola?! Wha, Wha, What???

2013-03-19T06:59:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love granola. I'm like a granola freak! Sometimes it is hard to find a good vegan granola since many seem to contain honey or milk products. I also adore chocolate. Cocoa is like nature's way of making your day more awesome. Now imagine, just imagine...chocolate covered granola clusters. I know, in our wildest dreams right? WRONG! Nutty Steph's has made this fantasy a reality. I honestly had never thought about this nutty combination, but now that I know about Nutty Steph's, I can't see how I lived without chocolate covered granola for this long.

Nutty Steph's is a Vermont-based granola company that specialize in handmade treats like granola, trail mix, dried items like fruit, chocolate candy, and their special creation called Magic Chunks.

Magic Chunks!

Nutty Steph's has their ingredients on the website with their products, so you can see that they offer many vegan options. I love that their granola is sweetened with pure maple syrup and not honey. Pure maple syrup just so happens to be a favorite of mine. Plus, Vermont is known for excellent maple syrup. Their products are handcrafted, which is really neat. They also have a gluten-free selection, so everyone can enjoy these.

I tried the following vegan Nutty Steph's products, and here is what I thought of them:

Magic Chunks in Dark Chocolate flavor: using chocolate grown in protected forests by Ecuadoran farmer cooperatives to cover these granola chunks, the flavors you get are vast and intense! They are 70% cacao and you get nutty notes from the chocolate, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. You can also detect the beautiful flavors of cinnamon and vanilla. Marvelous to get all of these elements in one scrumptious bite!

Magic Chunks in Chewy Fruit Chocolate flavor (Black Forest): My favorite of the two chunks I've tried. You can really taste the coconut, sun dried bananas, and cherries with every bite. What a lovely combination along with the delicious granola. Amazing and addicting!

Vermont Granola: this is definitely a great granola. The flavor combinations are superb and I loved trying it with almond milk and also over my vegan yogurt. The oats combined with nuts, cinnamon, and maple syrup make this a very special treat. Try not to eat the whole bag in one sitting, I dare you. I have tried a lot of granolas and Nutty Steph's is one of the best.

Blackbird Dark Chocolate with Three Seeds: what an interesting way to experience your candy bar. Seeds in this smooth and buttery (from cocoa butter) chocolate make this a yummy and nutritious treat. And think about it, the antioxidants and omegas you are getting from the cocoa and flax seeds make this a health-worthy indulgence.

Lemon Ginger Pecan Dark Chocolate: if you like zing in your chocolate, this one is for you. Nutty Steph's chocolate is super delicious along with refreshing lemon, spicy ginger, and pecans to balance it all out, which make this a really fun one! I'm definitely a fan.

If you want to get your hands on some Nutty Steph's, they are available on their website and they also have a Flagship store for anyone who is in the Vermont area.

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Hope you have a sweet and nutty day!

You Can't Do Nerdy Without a Pair of Nerds!

2013-03-18T06:54:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! So I wanted to share Firmoo with you. They are an eyeglasses and sunglasses retailer who specialize in the more current and modern styles. Firmoo is aimed at a young and hip audience, and has an awesome selection of Nerd-style glasses as well. Their aim is to provide fashionable vision-wear for the more frugal crowd. Basically, people who want gorgeous eye-wear but don't want to pay the high price-tag that normally come along with it, would benefit from taking a peak at http://www.firmoo.com/. They offer prescription and non-prescription, so you can choose a pair for function or fashion. They have something for everyone.

I am wearing the style #SD2249 in Black (C01). Kind of the typical "nerd" style but totally cute, right? These are also available in Tortoise color.

I like that these are great quality and at a fantastic price; can't beat that. These aren't like the cheapo glasses you would pick up at the mall either, these are durable enough for everyday use. It couldn't be easier to get prescription or fashion glasses at such a low price. The only thing I didn't like is that the plain lenses (non-prescription) that I am using get super smudgy, so if you choose to go non-prescription just for fashion, be sure to keep them clean or the smudges can be annoying. They just show up more on plain lenses than they do on prescription ones.

Firmoo also has a neat program they are running that gets brand new customers a FREE pair of glasses! All you have to pay is shipping, so it is definitely worth it to try them out. You can check out the program here.

Firmoo has tons of different styles to suit every type of personality. I really like their Nerds, which they do a great job with and they frame the face very nicely. A lot of celebrities are wearing this style right now. Check out these pictures of celebs wearing nerd glasses. I bet they cost a fortune and are some crazy-expensive designer brand. I love that you can get the same style from Firmoo for literally cheaper than my mascara costs.

Nerdy, but never nerdy, Johnny Depp.

Chris Brown rocking some Nerds.

The ever fabulous Anne Hathaway wearing a similar style.

Britney's glasses look just like mine! Pair them with ripped jeans and you're a rock-star.

Justin bringing nerdy back.

Jay-Z a grown-up nerd.

Mila Kunis wearing this style.

Look, even Kim Kardashian has em'!

I hope Everyone has a super nerdy day! I will be wearing these to Starbucks. A perfect coffeehouse look. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. SEE you later!

Weird (but Delicious) Brownies (and NOT the Wacky Tobacky Kind).

2013-03-17T06:22:00.000-04:00

I've heard about black bean brownies and I really wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Out of straight fear of eating black beans in my brownies, I delayed in this exploration. However, I finally decided to jump on the bandwagon and I must say this is a very interesting wagon indeed.

I did some research on the interweb and came across some rather odd recipes. Some were no fat, some were no flour, some were even no sugar! How dare they! I finally stumbled upon the recipe on the No Meat Athlete's website, and decided to give it a try. In true Dirty Vegan fashion, I had to put my own Naughty spin on it. I also made these gluten-free, which if you haven't noticed, I have been doing more of. I received requests from vegan and gluten-free readers who wanted to see more GF-friendly content. Needless to say, thank you NMA for giving me the recipe guideline! I only changed a couple of things anyway, so I totally give you the credit. Before your recipe, I wouldn't know the first thing about putting black beans into desserts.

These were delicious! The picture doesn't do them justice whatsoever.

Here is what I did:

1 1/2 cup all purpose gluten-free flour
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 1/4 cup vegan cane sugar
1 1/4 cup cocoa powder
4 tsp instant coffee powder (not gonna lie, I just busted open a K-cup)
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
1/2 cup nuts (use whatever nuts you like - walnuts or hazelnuts seem perfect for this)
1 15oz can black beans, drained & rinsed then placed back into can and fill the can with water
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup water (additionally)

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients (first 8 ingredients) in a large mixing bowl. Puree can of black beans with that new water you added to it. Mix puree with vanilla and that additional cup of water. Mix wet ingredients into bowl of dry ingredients. Grease a 9x13 inch pan and pour batter into it (batter will be watery, don't worry about it). Bake for about 30 minutes, carefully rotating pan a couple of times during baking. When your brownies are not watery or runny in the middle and they seem to be pulling away from the sides of the pan, they are done. Let cool and then cut into squares and enjoy! These retain heat very well, so when I enjoyed my brownie, I got nice oozy chocolate chips inside. Yum!

Thanks No Meat Athlete! I wouldn't have tried black bean brownies, like ever, if it weren't for your recipe. I'm glad I did, these were surprisingly fantastic!

Cannot Live Without, Must-Haves for Pregnancy and Beyond!!!

2013-03-16T06:34:00.000-04:00

As I am counting down the days to Baby's arrival, I am reflecting on the past 9 months. Husband and I were chatting about all of the neat things that are available these days. I feel thoroughly blessed to have found pregnancy products that have kept me as comfortable as can be, and possibly kept hubby as sane as can be. Here are the top items that I could not have lived without during pregnancy...

Boppy Total Body Pillow

This was my very first keep-me-comfortable-during-pregnancy purchase. I recommend getting something like this early on in pregnancy. Every trimester comes with discomforts, especially bedtime ones, so something like this will do you wonders during pregnancy and even afterwards. I have two of these. Sometimes I sleep with one in front and one in back, sometimes both in back, sometimes I fold them up for different positions, whatever. I also have brought these in the car for long rides. I feel sorry for the pregnant people who didn't have Boppy pillows.

Be Maternity BeBand & Ingrid and Isabel's Bellaband

This was my very first pregnancy-necessity purchase. Before you are even showing, you are bloated and having trouble fitting into your pants. With these bands, you can unbutton and wear your jeans and this band looks like a camisole underneath your clothing. Be Maternity recommends that you use this during the first, second, and the legendary "fourth trimester". I even used my bands occasionally during the third trimester for those moments when, for lack of a better phrase, my ass was hanging out. This is a great item to use when you want to wear your pre-pregnancy clothes for as far into pregnancy as you can, and for afterwards when you want to start wearing your pre-pregnancy clothes again. They hold up your pants and even allow you to wear your maternity bottoms sooner, when you need the comfort but don't quite fill them out yet. I also used these bands in my second trimester when I felt like my belly needed some support, since you can wear them folded in half, wear them full, or any way you feel comfortable doing so. I have these two brands and like them a lot.

Motherhood Maternity Compression Hosiery

At $7.98 you cannot go wrong! I have so many pairs of these in every color that they offer. I would wear these anytime I would be on my feet a lot, or sitting down more than I'd like to be. I never experience any feet or leg swelling when I wear these; they just work really well for me. My doctor checked my ankles at a visit and was so surprised at how I wasn't swollen. I told her that I swear by my Motherhood Maternity Compression tights. They have all different tights that allow room for your belly and that to me is so comfortable with a nice dress and a pair of ballet flats. I also felt support of my growing belly while wearing these. When not wearing them, if my feet or ankles swell, I put these on and actually see a difference right away. Also, I have washed these many times and have never gotten runs or snags in any of them. Therefore, they can be reused for the next pregnancy. Love these!

Boppy Pregnancy Wedge

Another one of their fine pillows, the Boppy Pregnancy Wedge is an essential towards the end of the second trimester (or whenever your belly starts to pull and ache while laying on your side) and throughout the entire third. Us pregnant ladies must sleep on our sides, preferably the left, in order to ensure the proper amount of nutrients and oxygen are supplied to our babies. As pregnancy progresses, the uterus and growing baby inside of it puts too much pressure on the major arteries that pump from you to your baby. Therefore, to avoid depriving your baby of anything and to avoid getting dizzy and sick yourself, you should really only sleep on your side and not on your back. As your belly grows, the weight of it pulling and dropping down to the bed, is very uncomfortable. It comes to a point where you will just need something there for support. A regular pillow sort of works, but once you use this wedge, you see how it is perfectly designed for the pregnant body, relieving you of pressure and pain immediately. I also use this for my back as well. I switch sleeping positions throughout the night, and find that when I can prop my belly against my husband's back, and put the wedge pillow behind my back, it creates a nice cradle. Definitely experiment with different methods and positions. I have had really comfortable sleeps during pregnancy; I think these little extras really help.

Medela Sleep Bra & Gilligan and O'Malley's Sleep Bra 2-pack

In the first trimester, the girls will be sore. I cannot picture living without these bras. I used the Medela bras in the beginning for day and night actually. Then I used the Gilligan and O'Malley bras towards the end for sheer comfort. The girls start getting sore again as your body prepares for breastfeeding. I have also packed these in my hospital bag because these will be great for nursing, as they also double as nursing bras. I walk around the house in yoga pants and the Gilligan and O'Malley bras. They are really cute.

Motherhood Maternity Demi Underwire Nursing Bra & Bra Extenders

During the middle of pregnancy, I used nice Motherhood bras in nude and black (that also look sexy and are super comfortable) and purchased bra extenders so that I could use them as I grew, as well as use them after pregnancy for nursing. The extenders can be taken on and off and adjusted to many different sizes. Always take advantage of products that you can use during pregnancy and afterwards. Any maternity buy that you can find, whether it is clothing or something else, that can do double-duty is so worth it.

Motherhood Maternity Bikini Panties & Bravado Designs Maternity Panties

Motherhood Maternity and Bravado Designs make the most comfortable maternity panties ever! No matter what style you choose whether it is bikini, thong, brief, these are great and you will love them. I don't know how anyone can go without maternity panties. These are great for under the belly and extremely comfortable, as that area tends to get sensitive as it stretches. Both brands make fold over and I love them too. They are super soft in the front and are perfect for if you are having a c-section. Yet another product that you can utilize afterwards. When you are achy and uncomfortable, a great pair of maternity panties feels like paradise. You will want to find the little comforts wherever and whenever you can. And there is nothing more annoying than when you have on horrible underwear. Now that can sometimes be the difference between a mood-swing or no mood-swing. Just in case you don't want to spend the money or your partner is wondering why you need all these things, just be reminded of mood-swing prevention. Keeping mom-to-be comfy and happy is key during this wonderful time.

Oh Baby by Motherhood Maternity Nursing & Maternity Pajama Set

After a long day of carrying around extra weight and growing a person inside of you, there is nothing better than taking a relaxing shower, putting on those glorious maternity panties that we talked about, and slipping into this uber soft pajama set. It comes with three pieces, the pants, a camisole (with clips for nursing), and a robe. During pregnancy you want light-weight and soft pieces to wear, especially at bedtime. Love these pj's, they are so comfy. They are also perfect for your hospital stay, recovering, and nursing.

I purchased all of these products at the following stores: Target, Macy's, Motherhood Maternity, and Babies-R-Us. I've seen them all over the place. I've also seen these items on Amazon. I like going to the stores for stuff like this to ensure everything fits properly. In my experience, I have not been one size during pregnancy and different brands fit me differently. Warning: if you go shopping and are especially tired out, and happen to try on the pj's, you may want to wear them right out of the store. Just sayin'.

Everything else that I have are more like luxuries rather than necessities. However the above items are must-haves for me. Are there or were there any pregnancy items that you totally could not live without?

Fabulous Baby-Safe Jewelry For Moms!!!

2013-03-15T09:29:00.000-04:00

Here I am, days away from having a baby. As you know, I love to dress up and accessorize, and pregnancy has been very good for that. See, you have this beautiful new body and this gorgeous baby bump to show off. Now towards the end of the pregnancy journey, I am thinking about what I can do to be the best mom ever...but also a fashionable one at the same time. During recovery, I'm imagining I will feel kind of blah. So when you don't have time for make-up and the whole nine yards, the next best thing is to wear huge sunglasses and accessorize well. I have lots of distracting, clunky, fun costume jewelry that will do the trick, but is it safe for baby? No, probably not. She can pull the beads, they can pose a potential choking hazard, the paint on them is probably not baby-safe, clasps might be sharp or jewelry might scratch delicate baby skin, and the list goes on. I've been thinking about this for quite some time now. So, you can only imagine how thrilled I am to have found Teething Bling by Smart Mom Jewelry!

Our hospital bags are packed and I am pleased to announce that I will be including my fabulous Jade Teething Bling necklace and bangle. Who says I cannot be the most stylish new mom in the maternity unit? To most, perhaps these gorgeous pieces look like stone. Well they are not stone, they are actually baby-friendly, and made from the same FDA approved teething material as most baby toys. YES, actual jewelry made for mom and safe for baby! Baby can pull on these, baby can stick these in her mouth, baby can even teeth on these - they are completely safe and that is what they are made for. These are vegan-friendly and chemical-free as well.

On the necklace, the cord is a breakaway cord and it is silky, making it safe if the baby pulls on it. It has a nice length so as you are holding baby, you will be comfortable, and baby can grasp or munch. This necklace and bangle are a perfect size as not to pose a choking hazard to baby and to also let mom stand out. I wore these out yesterday and received compliments on them. I love that in the hospital I can wear Teething Bling and hold my new baby, without worry of scratching her. I love this concept and the folks at Smart Mom are absolute geniuses! Unsafe jewelry and babies pulling and eating mom jewelry has been a problem for forever, I am ecstatic that there is finally a cool solution. I love these and cannot say enough good things about them. If you are a mom-to-be, a mom, or know someone who is, what a great gift! These come in a multitude of colors and styles on the Smart Mom Jewelry website and you can also find these baby-friendly baubles at baby stores (I recommend using the retail locator if you happen to be planning one of your baby store outings and want to check them out). Their website seems to have every color and style imaginable if you are a no-fuss kind of gal who just wants her Teething Bling...like stat!

Don't feel left-out Dads, Smart Mom Jewelry has you covered with the Babe Magnet Tie! It comes equip with squeaker and rattle! Perfect gifts for the expecting parents in your life; a Teething Bling gift set and a Babe Magnet! I have been invited to a few baby showers recently and will be getting these for the parents-to-be just because I love them so much.

I could go on and on and on, but I won't. If you want to feel as fabulous as I do (about to pop any second here), you might want to get yourself some Teething Bling. I feel confident that once I am ready to start dolling up in the hospital, I will look pretty and be baby-safe with these totally neat mom accessories.

PS - I DO NOT envy moms of the past who had to live without such cool stuff that us gals have today. This is a wonderful and liberating time to be pregnant and to be a mom. Makes you feel quite special, doesn't it?

Could it be Nesting?

2013-03-14T06:16:00.000-04:00

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." -Mahatma Gandhi

Do you find that (especially late in pregnancy) you are exhausted, it is hard to move, your body aches, you don't want to go anywhere...besides the baby store? Why is it that picking up a few groceries right down the street seems like a struggle, however we can fold freshly laundered baby clothes at warp speed? Or how about when hubby and I are shopping and he goes off to the restroom, I can waddle so quickly to the baby isle and be back at the restrooms waiting for him, holding armfuls of 0+ clothes and toys?! Is it nesting?

The other day I was thoroughly pooped out. Let me tell you, towards the end of your pregnancy you will be pretty tired. Your body has done a lot of work in 9 months. Yet, when we have something that needs to be done in the nursery or that is baby-related, move over hubby, here we come! Even feeling very tired out, when my husband brings up a fresh load of baby laundry, I pounce on that with cheetah-like speeds and everything is soon nestled away in perfectly organized, Better Homes and Gardens nursery-worthy, fashion. What I can (or am willing to) do, I really put my all into it.

Has anyone else experienced this strange phenomena? A surplus of energy that comes to you when you have the opportunity to take part in baby preparations? Is that nesting or what?

Chocolate & Peanut Butter: Rock On!

2013-03-13T09:10:00.000-04:00

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups seem to be the ~~only tasty~~ most popular recipe in Alicia Silverstone's Kind Diet book. Like always, I have to Dirty everything up. I made them yesterday with the following variations...

I didn't use maple sugar, I used vegan cane.

I used whatever vegan chocolate chips I could get my hands on, not the "grain sweetened" kind.

Instead of 1/4 cup of vegan milk, I used Silk Hazelnut vegan creamer. The ganache was perfect!

Instead of 1/4 cup of peanuts or almonds, I used cashews. The peanut butter, hazelnut cream, and cashews gave this a very multi-nut-dimensional flavor. It was very nice.

Definitely wait the 2 hours for these to set in the refrigerator. Overnight is best.

This recipe is ridiculously easy!

Have you ever made these before? If not, do you think it is something you might try?

What We Had For Dinner Last Night

2013-03-12T06:31:00.000-04:00

Hungarian-Style Braised Mushrooms

This is my favorite PETA recipe that my hubby and I have been making for years and years. We absolutely love it! Tons of flavor and you can change the recipe up by using different types of mushrooms for variety. We served this over spaghetti, but we've had it over any grain like rice, quinoa, or different types of pastas. It is also delicious by itself as a type of soup or stew.

Fun DV Fact: PETA's recipes really saved my ass when I first became vegetarian and subsequently vegan. I also bought their recipe cards, that I still have to this day, and I spent a lot of time on their website and online learning everything I possibly could about animal rights. The reason I am the Dirty Vegan is because I watched an undercover PETA video that exposed animal cruelty at a factory farm. I started posting in the PETA2 forums and wished that I could be more of a voice for animals. I then started writing letters to companies, politicians, and law enforcement in response to action alerts. Every chance I could get, I would promote veganism and have been an animal rights activist ever since I became veg, which was the second I viewed that PETA video. Now, thousands of people from all over the world read this blog. I've received lots of emails from folks who were inspired to become veg after reading my work. Even if someone were to make my recipes, or go meatless sometimes in order to try them, we are still saving lives. Whether it is big or small, it is joyous to see the positive changes we are making for our cause and movement.

This is what this amazing Hungarian Mushroom dish looks like once you add in the cashew cream. Yummy! Definitely one of my favorite dinners ever! You should really check out the recipe.

What is your favorite dinner? You know, the type of dinner that if you had to choose only one dinner to eat for the rest of your life, you would choose it.

Quick Breakfast Sandwich Idea

2013-03-11T13:01:00.000-04:00

Make a quick southwestern tofu breakfast sandwich on the fly! Being pressed for time shouldn't mean skipping important nutrients and protein in the morning.

Press some tofu, slice it, and pan-fry it with vegan butter. Also, pan-fry veggies like peppers, onions, and fresh baby spinach. Melt vegan cheese on top, dollop on some salsa, and place between two slices of your favorite toasted bread.

And well...enjoy!

Tofu stuff like breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and scrambles are my go-to breakfasts for when I want something filling and need to put it together in a flash. What is your go-to breakfast?

Love Me Some Soda Pop!

2013-03-10T11:19:00.000-04:00

I don't drink a lot of soda, but when I do I opt for regular and never diet soda. I stay away from the chemicals in diet sodas and a little bit of sugar won't likely hurt a healthy person. However, for us vegans, we never know what sugar is vegan-friendly and not processed with animal bone char, unless it is confirmed. I tend to stick to definite vegan products, ones that someone has confirmed are vegan-friendly. I came across these sodas at Trader Joe's on our last grocery shopping trip, and I wanted to share.

These vintage sodas taste amazing and the bottle is cool! I love drinking soda from a glass bottle because the beverage gets really cold and I find that it tastes more refreshing.

I like these vintage Trader Joe's sodas. As you can see, this one is gluten-free (I'm sure most, if not all, are free of gluten) and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives. I used to be real keen on Jones Soda, however Jones does contain "natural and artificial flavors". These Trader's sodas are a real good option if you are skeptical on soda, but want to include it in your life occasionally. I know a lot of people who ban soda in their household, and I probably would have felt that way too if I hadn't found an inexpensive and all-natural soda like this.

Are you still a soda drinker? How do you feel about soda and including it in your family's diet?

Crazy Pregnancy Craving Turned Amazing!

2013-03-06T06:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the world of crazy pregnancy food. We pregnant women get cravings of all kinds, but the most intriguing of all, are the odd combinations. This combo came out pretty darn delicious and I just had to share the recipe with you.

Crazy Pregnant Dip

2- 3 tbsp salsa
2 vegetable burgers (either Trader Joe's Marsala or Dr. Praeger's), microwaved for about 1 minute or so
1/8- 1/4 cup Daiya Jack cheese wedge, sliced

Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for 30 seconds more, if needed. Enjoy with crackers or chips!

What are/ were some of your (or your spouse's) pregnancy cravings or interesting combinations? Do you believe the old wives tale that what you are craving is what your body actually needs during pregnancy? I wonder if there is any truth to that.

Curry Peanut Lentil Loaf

2013-03-05T08:19:00.000-05:00

I've done lentil loaf before and used Tofurky to make it different and exciting. I've done different variations of lentil loaf over the years actually, and I wanted to do it again but make it in another extraordinary way. I decided to do a loaf inspired by some Thai and Indian elements. This was really easy to make and tasted awesome! I served this with salad, "buttered" bread, and a side of roasted asparagus. Add any side(s) that you desire with this lentil loaf, and you've got yourself a simple and nutritious meal!

Yum, Yum, Yum, Yum 'Curry Peanut Lentil Loaf' Recipe

What you will need:

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups cooked lentils (I used the pre-steamed, ready-to-use kind from Trader Joe's)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I used crushed up Erewhon Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal)
2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger
dash of sea salt

Glaze:

3 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1/4 tsp curry powder
salt to taste

What you will need to do:

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Puree onion, garlic, and olive oil in blender then pour into a large mixing bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients with puree mixture in the large bowl. Spread lentil mixture into a greased loaf pan. Mix all of your glaze ingredients together and spread evenly on top of the loaf. Cover and bake for 30 minutes then uncover and bake for an additional 15- 20 minutes.

There you have it! Lentil loaf that is loaded with protein and nutrients, but is more interesting than the ordinary way. Enjoy!

Be a Good One.

2013-03-01T05:48:00.000-05:00

I came across something that the celebrity makeup artist, Kandee Johnson said, and I wanted to touch on the topic in today's blog post.

"True beauty doesn't come from the face, it comes from the heart. There is no amount of makeup that you can put on an ugly attitude and an ugly heart that will make it look like that is truly a beautiful person. Beauty is something that you should be able to feel in a room that's totally dark and you cannot see a person. It's something that a heart can feel, not just that the eyes can see. Because I have met a lot of people that look beautiful on the outside, but their attitudes and the way they treat people is very ugly on the inside." -Kandee Johnson

It doesn't matter who you are or what you are, just be a good person. Do the right thing and make decisions that are from a good place and not a bad place. Before you do something, think about all of whom your decision might effect. Will someone be hurt by something you are doing or want to do? Does it feel wrong to be doing it? Is it something that you should hide or cannot be completely honest about? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are not being a good person. If you have to lie about something, chances are it is not the right thing to do and you shouldn't be doing it. If you have to erase or cover up actions that you are doing, but go about your life thinking you aren't doing anything wrong, then tell me, why cover it up? Live your life in such a way, that you can sleep at night with a clear conscious knowing that your actions have not negatively effected anyone else in any way. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings and most importantly, how you effect the world around you. I believe that if people start being held accountable for the way that they live, we would have a happier world. Be honest with others and be honest with yourself. If you feel a certain way, don't hold those feelings inside. If you are making a decision for a certain reason, own it. Don't be a deceitful person because it only makes you have an ugly heart. You can dress up an ugly heart but in the end, you can't fake it. If you are mean, people can see it, no matter how much you try to deny it or fake it. If you are doing wrong in your life, trust me, you aren't that good at hiding it, no one is. No matter what you do in life, good or bad, it will come back to you. It always does. Do you think you can go around willy-nilly with your actions and there are no cosmic consequences? Oh no, no, no - sorry it does not work that way.

So, the lesson of the day is, stand up for what is right. If you have a beautiful heart, speak up when something is wrong or do not be a part of something that is negative. Karma is a real thing, because I have seen it first hand. That is why I try and live my life a certain way, mainly to be an advocate of goodness and spread those good vibes to those around me, but also I do not want karma bringing me back anything evil that I may have put out into the world first. Good karma is a wonderful thing. I have seen it come back to me and I smile because it is a beautiful feeling to help someone selflessly and then get a wonderful surprise when you least expect it. To be a good person, makes me feel happier. No matter what misfortunes life throws my way, I always look at the blessings. It is best to see things with a positive outlook. As long as I know that I am doing the right thing, I cannot be accountable for other people's crumby behavior. I can just try to influence and change the world for the better. I am proud to raise our family with the belief that, "You always do the right thing no matter what and you always think of how you would feel if something was to be done to you. If you wouldn't be comfortable with it, someone else wouldn't like it either.". Sometimes doing the right thing isn't exactly easy, but it sure is easier to sleep at night, rather than staying up at night feeling guilty about your dishonorable actions. And the worst of all people, are the ones who don't feel guilty about doing awful things. So try and be a good one. Think about others and think about yourself. When you cheat others, you are only cheating yourself. When you hurt others, you are the one that is hurting inside.

"Be a fountain, not a drain." -Rex Hudler

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. I hope you have a day full of good fortune and I'm sending lots of positive vibes your way. Pay it forward; you'll be amazed on how great it makes you feel.

Boogers Have Never Been So Cool!

2013-02-28T05:57:00.000-05:00

So, I am super excited to show you guys this awesome product line called Boogie Wipes! I hadn't heard about these until expecting, and I can tell you right now that I plan to use these throughout all of my child's stages of life. Yes, I will be that crazy person running after my teenager telling her not to forget her Boogie Wipes. Yes, her Dad will be so proud that I have thoroughly embarrassed her, therefore she will not get a boyfriend. I will just be proud to have a kid with a booger-free nose.

Here is the scoop. Boogie Wipes are a natural saline, vegan-friendly product that are not test on animals. These wipes come in packs that are perfectly portable in your diaper bag or purse, a bigger canister to keep in the nursery or in your home, and "On The Run" boxes that contain individuals. These ingenious wipes are made of all-natural, gentle saline. Instead of spraying saline up your child's nose, Boogie Wipes are an easier solution.

Like everything else, I am testing these products out on myself before Baby arrives. If it is not good enough for me, how could it possibly be good enough for my precious child, right? I decided to try the Fresh Scent first. I take out the Boogie Wipe, and it smells pleasant. The texture is also very nice; sturdy yet super soft. These wipes are not heavily saturated like some baby wipes, which made this easy to wipe my nose with. It wasn't cold, and it cleared my nose up quite magically. It was quick and I kind of felt like continuing to use it. So i just patted my nose with it and took in the light and happy scent. I also did the same with the other scents and they were really refreshing. These handy wipes come in Grape, Menthol, and Unscented.

I wouldn't leave home without my diaper bag stocked with Boogie Wipes!

I found that these wipes really helped my allergies too. My nose felt nice and clean after using these wipes. I think my baby will be pleased with such a cool way to clean her nose. Your nose feels pampered afterwards and these wipes moisturize the area. Boogie Wipes are a lifesaver for moms who need to clean runny, booger crusted, or sick baby noses. I can totally see how these wipes can soothe a red, irritated nose. These are also a fun way to keep your kids' fingers out of there! Having something fun that smells great will be a motivator for kids not to go digging for boogers! I can totally see the Grape scent being a huge hit with the toddler crowd as well. These sweet smelling wipes can be found at stores like Target, Babies-R-Us (and Toys-R-Us), Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and Walmart and also online on their website or other online retailers like Amazon, Diapers.com, and Drugstore.com.

What a wonderful and exciting product! I am thrilled to have found Boogie Wipes and they certainly get my seal of approval. What are you using to clean out those boogie-filled noses? If this is your first time hearing about this product, what do you think?

Quick 29g Protein Quesadilla Lunch

2013-02-27T06:03:00.000-05:00

This recipe is for a quick to prepare and make, baked quesadilla that is yummy and packed with protein. Between the tortillas and the quesadilla toppings, this meal totals about 29g of protein. And some say us vegan-folk don't get enough protein. Also, this was quick to make; use the toaster oven to make it even faster and cut down on oven preheating time. So let's get started!

Try My Drool-Worthy 'Not-chicken, Cheese, and Spinach Quesadilla with Sweet Mustard' Recipe

2 Whole wheat tortillas
2 tbsp dijom mustard
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Handful of baby spinach
1/4 cup sliced Daiya cheese wedge in Havarti flavor
About 5 or 6 Gardein Crispy Tenders

Set toaster oven to 350 degree "Bake" setting. Combine dijon mustard and maple syrup. Place a tortilla in a pan and spread half of the sweet mustard mixture on it.

Layer spinach, Gardein, Daiya, and drizzle the remaining sweet mustard on top.

Place the other tortilla on top. Smash down with your hand to flatten a little bit. Bake in toaster oven for 10- 15 minutes or until quesadilla is crispy and golden.

Cut into four wedges and enjoy!

Italian Rustic Easter "Ham" Pie AKA Vegan Pizzagaina

2013-02-26T06:25:00.000-05:00

I wanted to get this recipe posted as soon as possible since, as you all know, I am pregnant and the baby is expected to be delivered by the stork around Easter. And this is an Italian Easter-time recipe. This will give you plenty of time to plan to make this for your holiday meal.

Growing up, this traditional Italian Easter-time recipe is one that my grandparents and parents had always made in the non-vegan version. I wanted to make a vegan version to have in my family and have something special that we can look forward to this time of year. My husband and I have a tradition of eating a vegan version of an Irish dish that he grew up with, so it will be nice to include an Italian dish for Easter and have both traditions for our child to enjoy both sides of her heritage. For dessert, we always decide on something new to make together each year. Sometimes it is an "ice cream" pie, cupcakes, or a cake. Depending on how much time that we have this year, we may just buy a vegan cake from the bakery. So here is my take on the Italian Easter "Ham" Pie, aka Pizzagaina! I hope you enjoy this with good health and good company!

Italian Rustic Easter "Ham" Pie also known as Vegan Pizzagaina

What you will need:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup vegan buttery spread (I used Earth Balance)
1/2 cup warm water
1 lb silken tofu
2 Tofurky sausages, diced
5.5 ounce package deli "ham" slices, diced (dice the chunk right out of the package, do not separate slices)
Half of 5.5 ounce package Tofurky bologna syle slices, diced (dice the chunk right out of the package, do not separate slices)
1 cup Daiya mozarella style shreds
1/4 cup Daiya cheddar cheese wedge, chopped
1/4 cup Daiya jack cheese wedge, chopped
1/4 cup Daiya havarti cheese wedge, chopped

What you will need to do:

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Make crust dough by kneading together flour, buttery spread, and warm water and let dough rest. Smooth silken tofu in a blender and pour into a large mixing bowl, then add the remainder of the ingredients and mix it all together. Press dough into a 9x13 inch pan then spread your cheese and "meat" mixture on top in an even layer (if you want dough for the top to encase the entire pie, double the dough recipe, otherwise this is the version with just crust on the bottom and sides). Bake covered for 20 minutes, then lower heat to 350 degrees and bake for 45 more minutes, uncovering pie for the last 15 minutes. Let pie cool for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares. Traditionally, this is served cold, however it is tasty still a little warm after a couple hours of cooling. Enjoy!

This is so close to the real thing that it is scary! If you have ever had pizzagaina, please let me know what you think of this recipe.

Fabulous Eco-Chic Jewelry Made From Re-purposed Materials!

2013-02-25T06:38:00.000-05:00

We all know that there are serious environmental benefits to buying re-purposed goods versus ones that are made from brand new materials. Plus, having something cool that had a story before, is really neat and interesting. Re-purposed items are usually one of a kind or there are not many of them out there since they are not mass-produced. Whatever the item may be, it is sure to be a conversation starter. With that being said, I wanted to share my cool new statement piece ring with you.

This gorgeous and one-of-a-kind ring was made from a very talented artist, Lisa DiSciascio. Lisa is the creator and wood-gatherer behind Starlight Woods. Starlight Woods is a delightful jewelry store offering eco-friendly tree branch turned to jewelry creations and you can find these beautiful works of art on Etsy.

Love this ring!

Want to know what is so neat? The jewelry and accessories at Starlight Woods are born from storm damaged trees and fallen branches gathered by the artist during hikes with her family. What a wonderful thing!

If you are planning on giving one of these fabulous pieces as a gift, rest assured knowing that every purchase is automatically gift-ready in a gift box and wrapped with twine.

How gorgeous is this ring?! I adore it!

I absolutely love eco-chic accessories because you can feel good about them. You know exactly what they are, where they came from, and it is comforting to know that the item and it's materials were sourced responsibly. I don't know about you, but it makes me ill to think that some small child in another country is working in a factory to make the cheap accessories that you find in those superstores. Furthermore, they aren't great quality at all and they are something that everyone else is wearing. That's what I love about this Starlight Woods aqua cocktail ring; it was thoughtfully sourced and created, its a stunning fashion piece, great quality, and didn't harm anyone or anything in the making.

As you can see, this ring is super sparkly and girly. I love the aqua-turquoise color, which can match any outfit. All of the items in the Starlight Woods Etsy store are such lovely designs that you can wear them every day with any outfit, dressed up or dressed down. This ring is made from re-purposed wood and so light on my finger. I love a big statement ring that doesn't feel like it is weighing me down. This is a gorgeous ring that is so feathery that you don't even notice you're wearing it...until when of course you receive a ton of compliments on it or when the sunlight hits those attractive sparkles.

This ring, and many of the others from Starlight Woods, have a brass base that is adjustable to fit any size finger. The adjustable band is also great for when you want to switch and wear it on another finger.

This ring is absolutely fantastic and so are the other creations from Starlight Woods. In their Etsy store you can find beautiful pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets, cuff links and also sentiment jewelry that has sayings or quotes on them. There are also pieces that can be customized or personalized. Perfect for gift-giving and giving gifts to yourself as well! I think the "Best DAD Ever" tie clip is such a cool and modern gift for Father's Day, especially for new dads. I had my husband in mind when I saw that and think it would be a cool gift for me to get him for his first Father's Day. If you check out the website you will notice pages and pages of the coolest jewelry and accessories, so check it out for yourself.

Love the sparkle in this ring!

So if you are looking for a fashionable new piece or want to check out really pretty eco-friendly jewelry, find Starlight Woods on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/starlightwoods

https://www.facebook.com/starlightwoods

https://twitter.com/Starlightwoods

Top 10 Fun Things To Do When You Are Pregnant

2013-02-24T05:20:00.000-05:00

1. Get a 3D Ultrasound

Our baby has my nose, but pretty much looks like a little mini version of my husband!

2. Have a Recording of Your Baby's Heartbeat Put Into a Keepsake Teddy Bear

We just press the frog whenever we want to hear our baby's heartbeat!

3. Journal Your Pregnancy

I've been journaling each week and put keepsakes in here too, like ultrasound pictures, our holiday card, and the baby shower invite!

4. Take a Prenatal Yoga Class

I love taking prenatal yoga class, it is a great way to bond with baby and connect with other pregnant moms-to-be!

5. Do a Plaster Belly Casting

This was a really nice activity for hubby and I. We were both so impressed on how the casting turned out and we can see exactly where the baby was positioned! He did a great job with this, I just had to stand there. Hubby is a great artist!

6. Pamper Yourself

Mani, pedis, and other pregnancy-safe spa treatments are a must; your body is hard at work! When I called my doctor to ask her if I am allowed to get a mani-pedi, she said, "ABSOLUTELY!".

7. Go to a Baby Expo

These are great and you get samples, freebies, coupons, raffle tickets, and info from each booth! Hubby was one of the only guys there. Having your hubby by your side is a nice way to share the experience, plus who else will grab you all LaraBar and pita chip samples he can get his hands on?

8. Go to a Baby Brunch/ Seminar

We went to a baby brunch in Boston and learned useful baby tips, saw baby products, and I won a gift certificate in the raffle and the goody bag was spectacular!

9. Go to a Vegan Buffet

Loving buffets like the one at the Grasshopper and at Rasoi!

10. Walk Around the Baby Stores as Much as You'd Like

Chances are you won't get sick of the baby stores and you will always find something that the baby "absolutely needs". Whether you are with your partner or make a trip by yourself just to browse around, it really becomes a favorite hobby.

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. I hope your day smells baby sweet!

Window Cord Safety in the Nursery and Throughout the Home

2013-02-23T05:39:00.000-05:00

I started thinking about window safety, now that we are expecting our first baby. I was going through many safety issues and checklists for the nursery. There are a lot of things to consider when baby-proofing your home. I was going through crib safety when I started considering the window cord safety thing.

Obviously you want your crib to be up to the most current safety standards, such as secure screws and bolts, checking that it has not been recalled, having slats that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and ensuring a tight fit with a firm mattress that you cannot fit two fingers between the mattress and crib on all sides. Your crib should be new. You never know what recalls happened, if you have all of the correct parts, if it contains lead paint, or if a hand-me-down/ used crib is up to the most recent safety codes. I've seen cribs on the cheap (seriously $99 at Ikea), but if you still cannot afford a new crib, find a way to afford a new crib. Also, your crib should contain nothing besides your mattress protector pad with a tight fitting, fitted sheet over it. Everything must fit properly and securely, another must-have new item - your fitted crib sheets. The elastic will wear after washes and uses, plus you never know what size, plushness, or protector pad size someone else used on their mattress and how much that may have stretched the fitted sheet, therefore another item to seriously avoid getting used.

Your crib should not be so close to a window that treatment cords pose a strangulation hazard. Which is what brought me to think of cord safety, a baby-proofing item that many people do not realize must be paid close attention to.

Your baby will come in contact with windows. Be sure to keep them secure. I've heard stories where babies have fell through window screens. Babies will climb and explore, so keep your eye on your baby always. The cord of your window blinds and other window treatments can pose a danger. Therefore, window guards and cordless window coverings exist. There is also a great service provided by the Window Covering Safety Council, in which they will provide you with free repair kits that will baby-proof your existing window treatments. I ordered two kits that will take care of my 8 blinded windows. The kit includes information and the website is a wealth of knowledge on cord and window safety. The website will tell you how many windows each kit will safeguard.

There are so many baby-safety topics. This is only touching on one because of this wonderful free service, and slightly covering some crib safety. This is not even close to all that you should know about child safety, so be diligent and do your research on every topic imaginable. There are so many useful websites out there where you can get all the information that you need in order to ensure that your nursery is as safe as can be. Also, use any free resources that are available to you. You can always ask the hospital or your doctor for information, advice, and brochures. If you are getting information from books and other literature, be sure that it is current and up-to-date. So if you need a free window repair kit to ensure the safety of your baby or child of any age, definitely utilize the service provided by the Window Covering Safety Council. They ship free kits to United States and Canadian addresses. Keep those babies safe, happy, and healthy, Everyone!

Vegan & Pregnant: How to Get Your DHA

2013-02-22T06:44:00.000-05:00

You are vegan and pregnant and want to get your DHA on? No problem, here are some great sources of omega 3's and tips on how I do it.

Some sources of vegan omega 3 fatty acids are: flax seeds and flax oil, blue algae, walnuts, canola oil, soybean, wheat germ, and chia seeds. Most plant-based sources of omega 3's are ALA. The ALA sources are turned into EPA and subsequently DHA, by your body. Basically, your body will do what is right for your body and your baby. Our bodies are pretty smart. Impressive right?

Here are some sneaky foods that slip in omega 3's. You probably eat a lot of omegas without even realizing it...

Vegan Smart Balance products such as their Light spread and Peanut Butters are good sources of omega 3's.

Nature's Path makes it easy to get your omegas. Just slather on some vegan buttery spread and pure maple syrup to their Chia Plus Waffles and you are loading up on DHA in a delicious way!

If you don't eat enough of the food sources that contain omega fatty acids or simply don't like those foods, you may also choose to pop a vegan omega 3 DHA supplement. DEVA brand makes one.

As you can see, it is easy to include omega 3's in any meal. If your lunch includes a salad, make your dressing with flax seed oil or sprinkle on some walnuts or chia seeds. Add some Smart Balance Peanut Butter to apple slices or celery sticks. Or if you were wondering about the blue algae, have some spirulina in your smoothie or add it into foods you eat. Chlorella and spirulina are what the fishes eat, and non-vegans say, "get your DHA by eating fish", but why do that when you can just get your DHA by eating exactly what the fishes eat. I know I'd rather not eat my friends, and fish are certainly my friends.

Odwalla's Superfood Smoothie contains 1500 mg of spirulina!

What are some of the ways that you include omegas into your diet? Have any tips or recipes that you'd like to share?

Vegan Organic Fair-trade Gourmet Chocolates, In Time for Easter!

2013-02-21T06:04:00.000-05:00

I would like to begin today's post by saying, I HAVE NOT HAD CARAMELS THIS GOOD BEFORE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Got my hands on some scrumptious vegan candies from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates and let me tell you, there are hardly words for how I feel about them. As I am sampling a variety of their confectionery offerings, trying to decide which is my favorite, I keep saying to myself (out-loud and by myself...hello, crazy person), "This one is my favorite, yum! No this one is my favorite, yum!".

Oh yes, all that you see here is in fact vegan-friendly. Sjaak's has a whole vegan section on their website and trust me it is pretty unbelievable. Sjaak's has you covered for holidays and all-year-round. Let me talk to you about these amazing vegan chocolates...

YES, that is a vegan peanut butter filled chocolate Easter egg! YES, those are vegan salted caramels!

Vegan "Milk" Chocolate Salted Caramels

In my entire life, vegan and my non-vegan past, I have never tasted caramels like this before. I honestly feel that Sjaak's are the masters in caramel making. This is the softest, most perfect tasting caramel I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. If there was ever to be a caramel-making contest, I know Sjaak's would win, hands down, with their vegan caramel. With the soft delightful caramel, covered in their vegan milk chocolate, with a touch of sea salt and the nicest slight vanilla aftertaste, I feel like I'm in heaven. These caramels are also perfectly packaged and pretty. I am hooked.

Chocolate Easter Egg Filled With Crunchy Peanut Butter

I didn't think it was possible. I didn't think vegan stuff like this even existed. Vegans look no further, you can finally fill those Easter Baskets. Not only is this egg packaged really cute, the taste is out of this world. Exactly what you would imagine. Sjaak's are masters in vegan candy. Holy crap.

Chocolate Bars in "Milk" Chocolate with Creamy Caramel & Dark Chocolate with Almonds

I want these for Easter, I want these for Mother's Day, heck I even want them for Father's Day...I will just order them for hubby and steal them! That is how good these are. Vegan milk chocolate with a gooey caramel center...I've been looking for a vegan version of this candy bar for quite some time now. The dark chocolate and almond is also fantastic. I've never tasted dark chocolate this smooth before. I don't know how Sjaak's does this, I don't care, just never stop making these candies. Okay, thanks!

Eli's Earth Bars in Treasure Bar, Dream Big Bar, & Celebrate Bar

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates also make a line of candy bars called Eli's Earth Bars. They are organic, they are fair-trade certified, and they are vegan. Also, 5% of proceeds are donated to a charitable children's organization. Why wouldn't you fill your child's Easter Basket (and Halloween bucket, and Christmas stocking, and Valentine's mailbox, and birthday party favors or gift bags...) with these candy bars? A portion of proceeds go to charities that help children, so that's an amazing thing. These are absolutely knock-your-socks-off delicious, and charitable - can't beat that. What do these bars taste like, you ask? Besides rainbows and magic...

The Treasure Bar is a chocolate covered, peanut butter crunch and caramel bar. It kind of reminds me of a nougaty, peanut, caramel bar that I've had in my past, but so much better.

The Dream Big Bar is a chocolate covered, caramel, peanuts, and peanut butter bar. It is really smooth and crunchy and the flavors mingle together so nicely that you will feel like you're dreaming, but its real and its vegan.

The Celebrate Bar is a chocolate covered, caramel, coconut, and almonds bar. It is my favorite because it just melts in your mouth and the flavor combos are like, "Pow! Let's celebrate!". Amazing.

Sjaak's certainly has a way with candy and caramels. I'm not one to tell people to go out and buy things, I kind of just objectively share my opinion BUT after this post you'd be crazy not to want to try this stuff. Simply said: a vegan's dream come true.

Cereal, How I Love Thee. Let Me Count the Ways...

2013-02-20T06:47:00.000-05:00

I have been craving corn flakes. You know, the kind that you grew up eating as a kid as you sat in front of the tube and watched Saturday morning cartoons. Yes I'm serious, kids did that back then, instead of playing around on their smart phones as toddlers, like they are doing now. So back to the flakes...

To my surprise (not really surprised at all), as I scanned the boxes in the grocery store's cereal isle, all of the corn flakes were filled with junk. Junk, trash, chemicals, trans fats, preservatives, and cancer-causing ingredients. No way am I going to put that trash in my ~~temple~~ body, especially my pregnant (and soon-to-be-nursing) body. Plan B, what will be my Plan B?

Luckily, I was introduced to Erewhon Organic Cereals, by Attune Foods, (you know, the makers of the probiotic dark chocolate candy bars and other wonderful products that you can find at Whole Foods) just in the nick of time! Erewhon Corn Flakes definitely fulfilled my cereal craving and then some.

Corn Flakes...hmmmmmm!

You will be delighted to know that Erewhon Corn Flakes contain no GMO ingredients. These cereals are NON GMO Project Verified. Yes, I mean it, a corn product that actually is real, old fashioned, corn and not some creepy GMO science experiment. The taste of this cereal is real, delicious, honest to goodness corn flake cereal. That is exactly what I was looking for. Golden in color, the way nature intended it, what cereal from corn should look like. I enjoyed a huge bowl (or two, or three, or four...) of these corn flakes with cold almond milk and I thoroughly enjoyed every solitary bite.

Ingredients: Organic Milled Corn, Sea Salt. <--- doesn't get much better than that now, does it?

Oh wait it does, each serving (who eats only 1 serving anyways?) contains 60mg of potassium, 3g of protein, and even some Vitamin A, Iron, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. Its not the hugest amounts of these vitamins and minerals, but again, who only eats just 1 cup of cereal? We go through boxes and boxes of cereal in my household per week; cereal is an important thing. Moving on...

Crispy Brown Rice, Gluten-free, tastes like I remember it!

I also tried the Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice, Gluten Free cereal and it reminded me of cereals past but way better. This actually tasted nutritious...because it is. You don't get that brown rice taste, it tastes like a white rice cereal would taste, however you get that nice fulfilled and satisfied feeling after a bowl of these little treasures. Gluten-free, contains 2g of protein per serving and less than 1g of sugar. Its healthy for your children too and they will never know its healthy. Shhh, it will be our secret.

Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Sea Salt.

Low on the Glycemic Index and safe for your health-food kick. You'll forget though, this cereal tastes that good; not kidding. Dirty it up, you ask? Do what I do and add a splash of Silk creamer to your vegan milk. For some reason I do this only when I eat rice cereal. I'm glad to have finally found a brown rice cereal that I love; this will be a staple in my cupboard for sure!

Last but certainly not least, my personal favorite, a superfood-cereal-powerhouse!

Erewhon's Supergrains, Buckwheat & Hemp cereal packs a nutritious punch, let me tell you. I love hemp, it is a perfect food for your body. Bodies love hemp. Buckwheat is also great for your body and the combination gives you fiber that your body needs to haul away harmful waste in your intestines. This cereal contains a whopping 6g of protein, 5g of dietary fiber, 9% iron, and 2% calcium. If you eat your cereal in generous portions the way I do and pair it with your nutritious vegan milk, you have yourself a super breakfast. This cereal is organic, it is gluten-free, and contains absolutely no GMOs. Six ingredients, that is it. Cereal that is so close to the whole food itself that your body can immediately begin to utilize it as fuel for your functions. This cereal is tasty too; if you eat any type of bran flake in the morning or use it for baking, I recommend trying Erewhon's Buckwheat & Hemp cereal. You can even process some in your blender and use it as a really healthy breadcrumb. I would suggest using it for breadcrumb in stuffed mushrooms; I think that would make a delicious and hearty appetizer.

All three of these cereals will be making regular appearances in my pantry and I'm excited to try other Erewhon cereals. Attune Foods makes other great vegan-friendly products, so keep your eye out for them at Whole Foods. It was exciting to share this with you because as you know, I am very passionate about good food and I'm obviously not going to keep it all to myself. These cereals are great finds and I feel comfortable feeding them to my family. That is a rare occurrence these days, as there are a lot of gross ingredients in packaged foods, so it is a relief to find products like these that work for the health conscious.

The Holy grail and ass-kicker of cereal! Yum!