I like food

 We are really stuck on tofu scramble lately. I found breakfast nachos on PPK. We just used the potatoes for a base and tofu scramble on top with tomatoes, onions, black beans. It took a lot of separate prep (roasting the potatoes, making the scramble, making the salsa) but it didn't take too long. Oh! and that's cashew cheezy sauce on top. We had a ton left over but it comes in handy a few days later.

 We were in NYC for the day and of course we went to Red Bamboo. It is always easiest for us to go to and we always know we are getting something good. I got the BLT...

 and got the chicken parm sandwich which was so so so big. I remembered to take pictures after we had already started stuffing our faces. 

 Finished our Red Bamboo trip up with strawberry and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Later we went to Birdbath Bakery in SoHo for a huge chocolate chip cookie. It didn't look like they would have vegan options but there were a stack of these cookies there.

 So many sweets this week. Plymouth Meeting Whole Foods had these chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies. They were small and very good but chocolate made them so much better.

I taught a night class, leaving Dave and Elinor to make dinner on their own. Dave took the leftover cashew cheezy sauce, mixed it with pasta, tofurky sausage and asparagus. It turned out to be the perfect alfredo sauce. So if you do make the breakfast nachos, save your sauce to make alfredo!

I like food

While we were in the city for the weekend for the fest, we made a trip to Soy Cafe. We have seen it before but for some reason have never stopped. It is a vegetarian and vegan coffeeshop with a ton of food options. A huge list of smoothies. Elinor got PB & J smoothie and Dave got a Jolly Rancher one. I can't say no to a bagel so I went with a bagel-wich with vegan sausage, tomato, soy cheese and maple mustard. It was delicious.

Dave got a veggie cheesesteak wrap. I liked it but I liked mine better. They also have an assortment of treats at the counter like vegan donuts! We didn't try any this time but I hope we go back soon.

We also went to MiLah. We used to come here every time we would visit Philly. Especially for their weekend brunch menu. I was so disappointed this time. The service wasn't that good. We were eating with a friend with allergies. When she notified the server of what she was allergic to and asked for suggestions on what would be safe he said well I think you can have this and this and this. She asked if he was sure because it was pretty important. He finally went to the back to ask the cooks. He came back and said the lady who cooks everything wasn't in and the guys in the back didn't know but again he is pretty sure she can have the tofu scramble. She ended up just getting some basic sides to be safe. It was super awkward and he seemed annoyed by it which made it an unpleasant dining experience for all of us. Anyway, Elinor and I had hashbrowns and pumpkin pancakes with veggie bacon.

 On top of being so busy, we had friends staying with us from all over the world. One from Belgium, one from Japan and 2 from California. I tried to make everyone breakfast one morning with Elinor's help. She ended up dumping so much extra salt into the pancake batter that I had to start a new batch. I also made tofu scramble. We usually follow a long recipe to make tofu scramble. While staying with friends a few weeks ago our friend made the best scramble I've ever had and it was so simple to make. Tofu, kale, asparagus, tomatoes, tons of nutritional yeast and black salt. I also made smoked sea salt kissed maple donuts. These are some of my favorite donuts to make. I got the recipe from one of my favorite vegan blogs (peas and thank you) that sadly isn't around anymore.

 Apples and oranges beauty sipper from 365 Vegan Smoothies. Elinor drank all of hers and most of mine. That kid loves smoothies.

Dave wasn't home for dinner so I made a babysitter diner. Earth Balance mac n cheese with peas. I can't get enough of this mac n cheese. It's so good.

I like food (365 Vegan Smoothies)

*I was sent 365 Vegan Smoothies to review. All opinions and words are my own.

Kathy Patalsky from Healthy Happy Life wrote a new book! 365 Vegan Smoothies is full of healthy and delicious recipes! Elinor used to eat everything but since this toddler has become too busy, she has no time to sit for a meal. We try to give her smoothies on the go to get those extra nutrients in. I get in a rut making the same smoothies everyday. 

flavor swirl shake

I was so excited to try this book out. It sits on our kitchen table because I've used it at least once a day. We usually have a lot of smoothie ingredients around so I was able to make one right when we received the book. My favorite part of the book is that by each recipe Kathy broke down the nutritional information. I can see exactly what Elinor is getting. 

kale sunshine refresh

As our ingredients dwindle down, I have just been checking the back of the book for what we do have. I can easily find one with what we have. Elinor loves helping make each smoothie. Well, until the blender comes on. Then she runs and hides. 

apple walnut pie

Every recipes that I've tried has been awesome. My favorites so far are the apple walnut pie and vibrant kiwi pineapple. I really think that we will end up making every smoothie before the year is over. I'm so excited to try out some of the coffee ones! Coffee banana freeze?? There are also a few matcha ones that sounds tasty. I just need some matcha. 

for July 4th. I tried to make red white and blue smoothies with 3 different recipes. I forget which ones I used! Elinor was excited with it though. 

vibrant kiwi pineapple

I like food

I haven't done one of these in awhile. I love to find out about new places and new recipes. We aren't the best at writing down our own recipes but we are really good at eating.

Coming home from Long Island a few weeks ago we stopped in Brooklyn at Champs. We have never been there for some reason. It was a wait to get in on memorial day morning but totally worth it! Cold brew coffee, "chicken" and waffles, tofu omelettes and even cheese sticks!! We didn't get any treats because we went to get donuts after at DunWell Donuts. I some how didn't get a picture of them because we inhaled them so fast.

Last Friday was National Donut day! Good thing Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting had us covered! We had glazed, caramel cream w chocolate n pretzels, vanilla filled, and berries n cream. They make donuts every weekend and we have been making a trip every friday. We need to probably chill out on that a little. 

The roof of Plymouth Meeting Whole foods is a taco truck. The vegan tacos taste different than last year but for the better. Last time they were too spicy and not much to them. Now they are full of potatoes, seitan, peppers and onions with vegan cheese on top. So good!!

A lot of our veggies were so close to going bad. We threw it all on the grill and made a grilled salad with homemade ranch dressing. We baked the potato on the grill too and threw some Daiya cheese on top.

Overnight oats. I could eat this all day. My friend sent me an awesome site The Oatmeal Artist. You guys, the banana cream pie oats!! 

Lettuce Wraps from The Vegan Stoner. We have been in a rush to make dinner lately. This recipes are super fast and we usually have all the ingredients laying around.

This weekend is Philly's first vegfest. We loved the one in Boston and went every year. There were always tons of samples, coupons and demos. Come out this Saturday from 11-4 at The Shambles in Headhouse Sq (2nd and Pine). We will be there!

I like food

Thank you everyone for reading, commenting, emailing and messaging me about my last post! It's so nice to hear feedback of fellow moms that made it through their children being 2.

Dave came home for a few days this week. It has been nice to have him here but he will be heading back out soon. Good thing my parents will be taking his place. Elinor and I are excited to see them.

and here is the food...

Pho. I've been craving it for so long but didn't know where in our area has a good vegan option. I went searching for this vegetarian pho soup base. I couldn't find it so I subbed ginger miso broth, baked some tofu, added cilantro, shredded carrots and mung bean sprouts with rice noodles. I topped mine with sriracha. It was exactly what I had been wanting. I made all of the rice noodles and ended up eating leftovers for lunch the next day and dinner the day after day. I think I need to keep rice noodle in stock here. It is so easy just to throw this together for lunches.

 When I was trying to get over my sickness, I made a green smoothie. I added spinach, ginger, a little bit of apple juice, oranges, carrots, bananas, strawberries and a date. Elinor liked it so much she drank all of hers and half of mine. 

Yesterday my friend texted me "Vegan Shamrock Shake!" with a recipe. I happened to have everything so we made one after dinner. 1 can of coconut milk, 1 avocado, 2-3 tbsp of agave, 1 cup ice, 1 tbsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp of peppermint extract. 

We probably only added half of the extracts. Any time I've used peppermint, it is way too overwhelming. We also added a few chocolate chips. I haven't had a shamrock shake so I don't know how to compare it but this was so creamy and sweet. Just like a milkshake. I don't think I have ever used coconut milk for a shake before but now I'm going to do it more.

 We used to make a pizza just about every friday night. Since we moved the Whole Foods here doesn't have our favorite premade pizza dough. We had tried the Trader Joe's one in MA and didn't like it. While shopping at TJ's the other day I grabbed some dough to try it out again. Elinor helped me make it which went pretty well until after the sauce was on, she started stabbing the dough and making holes in the bottom. Slight set back but she did a great job putting the toppings on. We decided on red peppers, onions and pineapples. It was one of the best pizzas I've had in awhile. The dough was nothing like the one we had tried before. We will have to buy more next shopping trip.

 I also used to make enchiladas weekly. It is one of Dave's favorites. But then I started getting reactions anytime I ate quinoa. We didn't have a fine mesh strainer so we always just did our best to rinse it before cooking. My smart friend suggested a reusable produce bag, which I had. It was simple to rinse them really well. They even dumped out of the bag without sticking to the bottom. 

My enchilada mixture is 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup onion, 1 can of chickpeas and Daiya cheese (sometimes we add a little bit of green chiles). preheat oven to 450. Lightly grease a dish and pour a small amount of enchilada sauce layering the bottom of the pan. Fill a tortilla putting it in the pan face down. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce and sprinkle a little more cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 15 min. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese on top is melted.

The day Dave got home, our friends offered to watch Elinor so we could go on a date. Elinor got to hang out with her favorite people and we got to have a quiet dinner, everyone wins! I took him to vge cafe since I had been telling him about it. I got the vge cheesesteak with vegan whiz!! and he got the buffalo wrap. The potato salad there is insanely good. I had to get a side so he could try it. It is some of the best I've ever had. I really like every sandwich I've tried from there so far but Dave got his as a wrap which was way better. I think sometimes the bread being so grainy, it can be overpowering. You also have the option of getting it on rice in a bowl or as a salad. I should probably try one of those options too and be healthier. 

They have a whole case of treats (peanut butter bomb cake!) but the also have vegan soft serve. So exciting since you don't find that often. It tastes like what I remember a frosty tasting like. The prices at Vge are really reasonable. Especially for being 100% vegan. I can see a lot of trips here in our future. 

I like food

We've been slacking on meals while Dave is gone. Also being sick doesn't help 

 grilled Daiya cheese with lentil soup

 I thought we had lettuce and tomatoes at home home I thought about making this but we didn't. It was still good. I used TJ's beefless ground beef with taco seasoning.

 Ever since finding Oh She Glows, I have been going through all of her recipes and have a million tabs open. This vegan chili was great for not feeling good. It was also super easy to make.

Oh She Glows double chocolate chunk cookies. They can be made nut free and gluten free. We used pb because that's all we had. I kept waiting for Elinor to go to sleep every night to eat extra. 

 We checked out a new organic market MOM'S. It is awesome and the prices are pretty reasonable. I found millet and flax bagels. They are surprisingly tasty. I thought they would be bland.

We are going to a new to us vegan place tonight. We went the other day and it is like a dream come true. They even have vegan soft serve!! I need to take more pictures and make a special post just for Vge Cafe.

I like food

We had major phone issues and I guess I forgot we also have a real camera. I lost some of the food pictures I took this week on my iphone. Anyway! We made and remade some tasty things this week..

 Cheesy Polenta Bake. We have made this one before but I don't think I blogged about it. Making this is the only time I've messed with polenta and I love it. This recipe is really fast and simple except for preparing the tofu feta. I made it before bed the night before. I want to make more of the tofu feta just to snack on. It is so good!

 We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day but Dave did order the Vegan Treats Valentine box. Oh man I love everything from Vegan Treats. I'm not sure what was my favorite in this box. Either the twix or pb cup.

 I lost the actual picture of the meal but we made Jerk Sloppy Joes with Coconut Cream Spinach. So good! I really wasn't sure of the spinach especially being on top of the sloppy joe but it really added to it and had a mild enough taste to not throw anything off. Elinor ate a ton. I thought it was a little spicy for her but she always surprises me. Also, right before dinner she decided to give herself tattoos to look like Dave's friend. This was the picture Dave sent to him.

Tofu Scramble for brinner. Dave had bought me a tofu press for my birthday awhile back. It is my favorite kitchen tool. I used to get really weird with tofu. If it wasn't firm enough or slimy, I wouldn't touch it. Even the packaged extra firm needs to be pressed for awhile for me. We always make our scramble different. This time we added cumin, thyme, black salt, tumeric, nutritional yeast, red peppers, onions and topped with avocados. I should probably pay attention to the amounts one of these times. We had a little bit of lightlife soy sausage left over that we fried up for a side.

We used to have pizza every Friday night but haven't in awhile. I could really go for one tonight! (pppssst Dave)

Have a great weekend!

I like food

 I have wrote about this raw berry pudding before but I couldn't find it. We eat this a couple mornings a week. Frozen bananas, frozen berries, apple, date and avocado. We topped it with fresh bananas, strawberries and hemp seeds. It's so creamy and delicious! We always have to cut Elinor off at some point or she will eat all of ours.

 One pot vegan pasta. This is super easy and fast to make. Dave loves mushrooms. I like them but get weird if they are too big and I think Elinor is the same. I diced them really small and didn't even notice them.

 puffy pillow pancakes. Elinor helped make these. She did such a good job and actually didn't throw have the flour out of the bowl this time. This is my favorite vegan pancake recipe that I've found. We topped them with syrup, fresh bananas and hemp seeds.

 Spinach spaghetti with tomatoes, basil, lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast. We kind of took turns throwing things in until it tasted right. 

 fake out mac n cheese. So good!! Elinor ate so much of this and so did we. I felt good about everything that was in it...cannellini beans, sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast.

 We haven't been eating out very often but Dave brought home Hip City Veg the other night. I can't say no to going there. I told him to get whatever because EVERYTHING from there is the best. We decided on Jerk Caesar Salad, Crispy Hipcity Ranch and Sweet potato fries. 

A sweet sweet woman in my teacher training class is also vegan and brought me a loaf of vegan banana bread! recipe included. It was so good and perfect with tea for a snowy night.

Wow, we ate a lot of pasta this week. I didn't realize that when I planned last week.