Tag Archives: Vegan

Sweet Indulgence

Posted on by

 

I try not to make a habit out of this, however:

About three weeks ago my favorite non-dairy tasting ice cream was on sale for $2.50 each.

I scooped up two half (now it’s a 1.5 quarts) a gallon.

Last week they were on sale again. I purchased two more.

They are all finished now. I ate them all without guilt!

I had not had any of the vanilla peanut butter swirl in a while and I just could not resist the urge.

I used to constantly make the most delicious milkshakes with this Breyers nondairy delight two years ago!

The product is sourced with Non Gmo ingredients, Gluten free, RFA certified vanilla, and it’s completely dairy free- made with real Almond Milk.

I always read the labels!

Yesterday Evening Dinner

Posted on by

I had a nice and quiet enjoyable evening yesterday. Full of peace and comfort.

I stopped personally-in my heart-celebrating Thanksgiving years ago (just like all the repetitive holidays), it’s just another day to me.

Nevertheless, I fixed and served sliced turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy along with string beans and diced carrots.

I didn’t eat any turkey or mashed potatoes.

I ate a purely vegan meal last night. When I eat mashed potatoes for myself I cook and eat them without the use of any animal fats or ingredients.

 

 

Vegan Pasta With Broccoli

Posted on by

Broccoli has always been one of my all-time favorite’s food. I love broccoli with rice, broccoli with shrimp, and broccoli with spaghetti noodles dressed in garlic, olive oil and oregano.

When I first tasted vegetarian lasagna many years ago, I loved every bite of it. As a pasta lover, having the dish prepared with broccoli just added a further appeal to me. The broccoli had taken the place of the meat usually included within traditional lasagna.

Ziti is another favorite pasta dish of mine and the noodles covered, packed, and melted in vegan cheese is just a wonderful satisfaction to my taste-buds.

Curry Rice And Chicken

Posted on by

Last night I colored my rice with curry powder, not too much, because I’m not fond of food too spicy, just enough to give my rice a nice yellow tint.

I added some rosemary, basil, and thyme, then boiled a separate pot of two chicken thighs lightly salted and peppered.

I like my chicken, shrimp, and fish once in a while as I predominantly eat vegan.

Last night I ate pollo pescetarian and I healthily enjoyed myself.

Spaghetti, I’m Ready!

Posted on by

The night before last, I made two delicious pots of spaghetti with garlic, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce.

I just love spaghetti, I buy the thin spaghetti, and I break my noodles up small.

It’s been a while since I had tomato sauce over my spaghetti as I like to change things up a bit with my food as I experiment with flavor and recipe.

Lately, I’ve been sprinkling herbs and spices over my noodles then dressing my dish in olive oil or plant butter.

I love my spaghetti noodles mixed with shrimp on occasion.

Country Crock Plant Butter

Posted on by

I went to the supermarket yesterday to purchase my favorite plant butter made with olive oil and there was only one left on the shelf.

No one had touched any of the Country Crock Butter And original Country Crock Vegetable Spread, only the Non Dairy Plant Butter.

I had got to the store just in time. Last week the shelf was full of the plant butter when I picked up a tub.

Everybody is into Plant-Based food now I remember many years ago when it wasn’t such a widespread interest among certain folk.

I didn’t have to worry about going short on my favorite vegan foods.

Well that’s how it goes. When there’s something good or appealing to the taste buds everybody wants to jump on it.

 

Appetizers

Posted on by

 

It’s exciting to have more options to choose from and that cater to our lifestyle, health, and special diets, nowadays, whether we are vegan/vegetarian/pollo pescetarian or just plain gluten free, and so on.

I love plant milk, preferably soy and cashew, the vanilla flavors suit me best. I don’t like almond milk at all.

I also love cashew cheese and olive oil crafted buttery spreads.

I tend to come up with ideas and tasty plans to create then to put into effort within my foods.

I’m just glad I can experiment with a variety of plant sources without sacrificing great flavor.

So go and get that plant-based milk, cheese, and butter if it’s befitting to a preference or way of living.

 

Nature’s Path Cereal

Posted on by

 

The early part of last year I had tried Nature’s Path cereals for the very first time and I was not disappointed.

I tried the Sunrise Crunchy Maple and I loved the taste. I knew if I liked the maple I’d love the vanilla.

What attracted me to the product was that is was organic, vegan/vegetarian, non gmo, and made with an array of wholesome ingredients.

I’ll be buying more of these two flavor cereals within the future.

Sunrise Maple Crunch:

INGREDIENTS:

Brown rice flour*, whole grain corn meal*, cane sugar*, corn meal*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, maple syrup*, quinoa*, natural maple flavor, flax seeds*, sea salt, buckwheat flour*, amaranth*, molasses*, tocopherols (vitamin E). *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses tree nuts, peanuts and soy.

Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla:

INGREDIENTS:

Whole grain corn meal*, brown rice flour*, cane sugar*, corn meal*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, quinoa*, natural vanilla flavor, flax seeds*, sea salt, amaranth*, buckwheat flour*, molasses*, tocopherols (vitamin E). *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses tree nuts, peanuts and soy.

Cheesy Delight (Cheesylicious!)

Posted on by

 

As a youngster, during my very early years, I grew up eating cheese loving and enjoying the delicious meals which are made with the ingredient.

Some of my favorites were macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, parmesan cheese sprinkled over my spaghetti, baked ziti, lasagna and cheesecake.

Once I came to know and was aware of how cheese was actually processed it was a complete turnoff  to me aside from becoming a vegan/vegetarian at the age of fourteen.

For those vegetarians who do eat dairy cheese they are able to, of course, purchase the brands that are made with vegetable rennet. I know Cabot, Boar’s Head, and Land O’ Lakes wasn’t using animal rennet (the stomach lining of calves and goats) I had phoned up these companies years ago inquiring about the matter.

Nevertheless, I only eat non dairy plant based cheese.

I love cashew mozzarella style vegan cheese.

We can still delight within our favorite dishes if we choose or prefer not to eat old fashion traditionally manufactured cheeses.

 

I Dream And Scream For Ice Cream Alternatives

Posted on by

When I went to one of my local supermarkets months back to buy a few pints of vanilla Almond Dream non dairy frozen dessert I found out the store had discontinued the item.

I liked the product yet maybe the item didn’t sell very well there.

The other non dairy frozen desserts I also like is made by So Delicious brand. Their cashew milk vanilla and soy vanilla ice cream alternatives taste very nice and refreshing.

They’re all non GMO vegan products.

I wish there was a non dairy and non GMO vegan toasted almond frozen dessert bar out there on the market if there isn’t one out there already that I’m unaware about. I’d like to eat one made from natural ingredients and top quality preparation.

 

Simply Delicious

Posted on by

I love Lay’s potato chips I’ve eaten them ever since I was a little girl. To me, they’re one of the best and most tasteful chips out on the market.

I had a bag yesterday and I just got finished devouring a bag today.

I’ve ate the “Simply” version from the time they were first introduced as they are prepared with Non GMO oils.

Before I decided to only eat from the popcorn kernels that I pop at home, due to the fact the snack tastes so much better compared to store bought pre-packaged popcorn, I use to buy the Non Gmo project verified Smart Delight sea salt popcorn.

The item was no doubt good but nowhere near as good as my home popped popcorn.

Anything homemade tastes better and tends to be more healthier for the body, anyhow.

Vermont Bread Company English Muffins

Posted on by

 

Of course, one can’t always judge a book by its cover though I usually have a good eye and judgement for what is of quality.

As living the life of a vegan or vegetarian at times gets quite expensive I often catch and look out for sales.

There was some Vermont Bread Company brand english muffins that are constantly priced at $5.00 for two packs at one of my local Stop and Shops.

I had never purchased or ate any of the Vermont company breads and would pass up on their items. About three weeks ago, I had a relative shop with me and convinced me to try out the English muffins due to the price of five dollars for each that were six in a pack.

I only relented because it’s hard to commonly find vegan non gmo breads unless you’re at a store which specializes in those type of products.

So she bought two packs, one whole wheat and one white, I bought two whole wheats.

Those muffins stayed inside my fridge for two weeks before I went to open them up. I was hesitant as something within me just didn’t have a desire or attraction for them. If they had have been Dave’s Killer Muffins I would have been all over them the instant I brought them home.

On the day I finally decided to give the Vermont whole wheat English muffins a go I dolled them up with some herbs and olive oil and when I put them inside the toaster oven to heat they gave off an unpleasant smell which stunk.

I was even more hesitant to eat these muffins after that. After I took two or three bites of those disgusting english muffins I threw them into the trash.

I read reviews (which, of course, is not wise to always go by) about how good the Vermont Bread Company english muffins were even though I personally doubted I’d like them from the way they had appeared. I honestly don’t know what those people were talking about maybe they were paid to post that shit.

They’re always 2 for $5 for a reason.

Sometimes one has to pay a little extra for the good stuff when it’s not running a course of a discount.

I was so happy to recently get my usual Dave’s Killer Bread organic classic english muffins that smell and taste so good I even bought my relative a pack and she loved them and agreed that they were much better than that nasty tasting Vermont shit.

 

Popcorn Galore!

Posted on by

I just got finished popping kernels in olive oil. I love popcorn and whenever I get the taste for some I prepare it myself instead of purchasing pre-packaged.

Popcorn is a healthy snack.

I’d usually buy Bob’s Red Mill white or yellow kernels. Before that I had tried Arrowhead Mills brand.

Right now, I have in my home Jolly Time white kernels.

All of them are non gmo, vegan, or organic and the products are of excellent or outstanding quality. The popcorn smells and comes out so fresh tasting and delicious to the point where I have to pop out a couple of batches just to satisfy my appetite.

I highly recommend these three kernel snack brands as they are far better than any store bought and movie theater pre-popped popcorn.

 

Snack Attack Tip

Posted on by

&Follow my blog with Bloglovin;

I love potato chips and cookies and cake once in a while yet I’ll only eat those within vegan and non gmo form.

The sweets have to be made on the healthy side and a homemade preparation is usually the best suitable route on desserts when it comes to optimal nutrition since one is inserting their own actual ingredients.

Nevertheless, everything within moderation and within personal tolerance is the way to go.

What I mostly enjoy snacking on above all else is fresh fruits, I love all kinds from green apples to grapes, watermelon, oranges, bananas, pineapples, honeydew melons and plenty more.

Fruit tastes delicious and is so good and beneficial to the body and I constantly incorporate these foods into my meal plan as well as a healthy snack tip to myself when I get hungry for a quick bite.

 

 

I’ll Pass On The Gas

Posted on by

I love granola bars yet it was hard for me to find ones acceptable to the ingredients that I’m finicky about eating and that was vegan.

Those in which I had come across within the past were either too sugary or not good enough within taste.

I use to love Nature’s Valley’s peanut butter, maple, and oat granola bars but they weren’t labeled as vegan even though the ingredients showed no visible indication that they weren’t, however, I wasn’t so sure about how the sugar was processed so I had stopped eating them.

Not to mention how some products are prepared with hidden content.

I not too long ago discovered a box of Kashi peanut butter vegan granola bars and was satisfied with the ingredient label.

I had read online reviews though about how nasty Kashi peanut butter granola bars had gotten upon the new recipe change and how people no longer desired the product.

I had never tasted the original recipe as I took notice of the product at a later time so I went further online to come up with what was first listed within the ingredients when the granola bars had first hit the market.

Once I found a listing of the old contents I was disappointed in the recipe and would not have chosen to buy Kashi as I didn’t prefer those other ingredients.

When I ate into the new and improved version of Kashi peanut butter granola bars I loved them!

I didn’t agree with the majority of online reviewers opinions of the now changed product.

I don’t know what they tasted like before but they weren’t hard in texture or nasty within flavor to me. They were soft and good, and delivered a satisfying peanut taste.

And I also like how they butchered the unnecessary non vegan contents that were in there prior.

I purchased and ate quite a few boxes of Kashi peanut butter granola until one day I passed a little gas after consumption and an odor shot out with the smell of a rotten hard-boiled egg.

The same thing happened with my favorite Late July brand multi-grain vegan tortilla chips. I use to eat a lot of them too until they also had me fart out a rotten egg smell.

I knew something was wrong after that and left both products alone because I don’t usually pass gas with a reek as such.

I haven’t let out a stench like that since then either.

 

Wow! For WowButter!

Posted on by

 

I recently wrote a post that mentioned wowbutter, a peanut butter substitute that is plant-based and how the product was good but a little runny within the consistency and that I wished the butter made from soy was thicker and stiffer.

Well I just purchased another jar of wowbutter yesterday and just opened it up today and noticed how thick and stiff the texture was and I was thrilled.

So either the product was improved or I just happened to buy a particularly oily batch last time around. It could have also been the temperature during shipping or within the supermarket that had made it runny and drippy.

Nevertheless, I spread the wowbutter on lightly toasted thin vegan slices of Dave’s Killer Organic multi-grain bread and enjoyed every bite.

I like the wowbutter better than peanut butter I love how it’s not sweet or sugary tasting. The product has its own unique similar taste, and like I said before, the soy within wowbutter has more protein than actual peanut butter making it an even healthier choice of preference.

Milk And Cereal

Posted on by

I just got finished eating four cups of dairy- free Silk alternative vanilla yogurt a few hours ago earlier this morning after I got home.

The product is so delicious. The vanilla beans are visibly mixed in with a satisfying flavor that doesn’t get boring.

I love the consistency of the product such a perfect smooth thick texture when stirred.

I hadn’t  purchased any in a while had to pick some up today along with a container of Silk vanilla soy milk that I ran out of to go along with my creamy wheat Bob’s Red Mill Farina that I eat at any time of the day.

Sometimes I’ll mix it with a portion of the Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran those two hot cereals taste good cooked together over the stove blended in with a little brown sugar and ginger.

 

 

 

 

My Killer Muffins

Posted on by

Dave’s killer bread products are one of the healthiest on the market and the only primary bread that I purchase for myself.

There is also an interesting back story about how Dave’s Killer Bread developed.

The breads are organic, whole grain, vegan, and non gmo project verified.

I love the classic organic whole grain english muffins and organic whole grain plain bagels.

When I prepare my muffins I split them, sprinkle garlic, onion, oregano and rosemary on them, drip olive oil on them and toast them in the toaster oven!

Pure Fruit Juice

Posted on by

There are quite a few good juices on the market to choose from.

What I look for in particular is all natural fruit/plant derived ingredients with no added sugars.

I’ve often purchased the Honest Kid’s Organic juices packs. The juice now comes in 59-ounce plastic bottles. I noticed that the ingredients to the larger size container differed a little compared to the pouches and small boxed juices.

I wanted to purchase the product but was concerned about the “natural flavors” listed on the label. So I called up the company while at the supermarket.

The representative put me on hold but was unable to give me an immediate response and I was too impatient at the time to wait to receive an email from customer service as I was ready to make a purchase.

So I went for the Apple and Eve Organics. I purchased four containers, two of the Apple and two of the orange pineapple flavors. I’ve already been purchasing their 100% apple juice for my mom.

Apple and Eve also are forthcoming and explain where their natural flavors are sourced from:

“Our Organics line of juices contains only certified organically grown fruits. The fruits in our other juices, while not organically grown, do not contain any detectable pesticide residues.

Pesticides are either not being used on the fruit we purchase or the vigorous washing and scrubbing process they receive leaves no detectable residue.

Natural flavors contain the natural essences, extractives, essential oils, distillates and proteins derived from the fruit. They do not contain MSG or any artificial ingredients”.

All of Apple and Eve’s juice are Non GMO:

“No.We do not use any ingredients that have been produced through biotechnology.”

So I felt more comfortable and confident in choosing the product and I was not at all disappointed. The juices were so delicious, especially when served icy cold.

I also love Dole brand products. Their pineapple juice is 100% natural and non gmo.

Hearty Meals

Posted on by

Most of my family and people who I know are meat eaters and I’m fine with that. To each his or her own.

Everyone isn’t cut out to be vegan, vegetarian, or polo pescetarian (one able to eat chicken and seafood through a modified vegetarian diet yet strictly does not eat any form of red meat or pork).

My mother loves her burgers and pork chops!

We come from a family of farmers from down south Halifax, Virginia where my great-grandmother (my mother’s mother’s mother) and her husband and children would produce and sell their own original goods.

Born into a bloodline of hardworking southern cooks who genuinely dolled up and prepared healthy, nutritious, hearty meals that well-fed the entire household put a stamp on what we was accustomed to and till this day there is no exception.

As long as my mother eats healthy I’m happy for her and just make sure to pick out quality choices when I do the grocery shopping.

Just because an item is labelled vegan/vegetarian doesn’t at all mean that it is necessarily good or nutritious.

My mother does love some of my vegan and vegetarian selections though and agrees that their better than the other traditional products in certain areas. And a few have become her favorites!

 

Candle Cafe

Posted on by

 

I don’t like eating out at restaurants. I use to go a lot when I was in my twenties, however, now I’m more cautious about where and what I eat.

Two years ago while I worked the overnight shift in Manhattan I ordered from a strictly vegan restaurant called “Candle Cafe”.

A lady had told me about it when I mentioned to her my finicky eating habits. She told me her friends liked the place and said that their dishes was good.

I looked through a menu and googled some reviews before I took a chance then tried the place out for my self.

Though I never actually visited the restaurant that was located just a few blocks away from where I worked, I had my order delivered.

The very first time I purchased steamed broccoli, corn, and potato wedges which I enjoyed.

The second time I bought the same thing.

On the third occasion I dug into a Seitan burger loaded with tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, cashew cheese and tempeh bacon, and it was delicious and filling.

It was my very first “real” veggie/meatless burger!

I once purchased a black bean soy veggie burger at the grocery that didn’t even compare to that seitan blast, other than that I had never had a meatless burger before.

(I also had my first meatless soy meatballs in a spicy sauce from the hot food bar at whole foods a few months ago and they were great. Better than what I expected.)

The second time I ordered the Seitan burger I tried the zucchini fries along with it but my taste buds couldn’t tolerate them so I just stuck with the potato wedges instead.

I love zucchini prepared in other ways, though.

The burger was expensive, about $13 dollars I think it may be $18 now depending on the platter. It has been two years since I’ve ate from them.

I had read a lot of good reviews about Candle Cafe I never got to try the Chimichurri citrus herb seitan skewers that I’ve heard about but from my own experience yet the food was pretty good.

Candle Cafe has three different locations within Manhattan, New york.

Vegan Sweet Treats

Posted on by

I’m not a big sweets eater but I do at times acquire a taste for some treats.

I love Dr. Lucy’s cookies. I have been eating them for a while now, in fact she is the only brand of vegan cookie that I’ll eat so far.

I’ve tried the lemon, oatmeal, ginger and cinnamon flavors. The lemon and oatmeal are my favorites the ginger is not gingery enough for me but I love what goes into each batch of goodness.

All natural sources and dairy free. A vegan gluten-free non gmo verified product.

The cookies include garbanzo beans, chickpeas, sorghum, fava and other acceptable ingredients that I agree with.

 

 

 

Certified Cereal

Posted on by

I’m not into eating morning breakfast. I just eat when I get hungry yet I do like breakfast foods that I’d eat at any time of the day if or when I get a taste for it.

As I’m a very picky eater I just don’t eat any type of breakfast food that is on the market. I look out for certain things along with quality.

I tried two dry cereals by “One Degree” organic food brand a year or two ago. I bought a box of the sprouted brown rice crisps and the sprouted ancient maize flakes.

I ate the rice crisps in a bowl with soy milk and the flakes right out of the box as a snack.

I loved that the product wasn’t sugary.

I feel more comfortable and at ease eating from companies that make an effort to cater to those of us out there with special diets or meal plans. For me its been a way of life for a long time now and I’ll keep up with being choosy.

I haven’t bought anymore of the cereal since because I’m not a big cold cereal person but I would buy the product again if I get the taste for it.

I also picked up a pouch of the sprouted vanilla chia granola when it was on sale two for the price of one at my local Stop and Shop.

Love that One Degree specializes in transparent nutritional and beneficial ingredients by farmers and taking special care within the environment.

I also love that their labels have some of what I look out for such as the Non GMO project verified, the USDA organic seal, and even though I don’t have a problem with gluten they’re certified gluten-free and Bio Checked Non Glyphosate certified.

So there’s to happy healthy eating for those that like One Degree products or who’d like to try it out.

The company also offers veganic ancient and other variety breads, sprouted oats, organic sprouted flours, organic lentils, kernels and seeds.

The Journey Begins

Posted on by

Thanks for joining me!

“As I love different types of music including contemporary jazz. To me, music is one of the most beautiful “instrumental tunes” on the earth.

Everyone can find variety in selection and entertainment, so full of pizzazz! -excerpts taken from my one of my other owned blog post also titled Authentic Expression!” (https://misslatoya.wordpress.com/2016/01/13/authentic-expression/)

Pizzazz I state in the reflection of Vigorous spirit; energy and/or excitement. Along with that corresponding reflection of flair: A special or instinctive aptitude or ability for doing something well!

Right now I want to take my high-spirited/bubbly nature and get excited about what I in my own words have a “Jazzy pizzazz” for, and that is food!

Good eating, Good living, Good well-being.

Welcome to my blog that focuses on Mind, body, and spirit. Specifically maintaining the beauty and vibrance of the “Temple” the shell of our bodies. And to me, one of the most pleasing to the senses is what comes in the form of grub!

Who isn’t tempted by various selective foods that look good, smell good, taste good-and better yet that is good for you!

I am no expert chef just a health nut one with over thirty years now of being a vegetarian to strict vegan, a vitamin junkie, a cautious investigator of what is being put into our foods and very particular about ingredients and the preparations in which our foods undergo.

I’m into non GMO, a lot of organic products, sugars that do not undergo the process of bone char filtering, real olive oil that displays both harvest and expiration dates and that is quality seal certified, and so on.

I’m the food police and food criminal as I inspect, arrest, and consume!