MWM (MidWeek Munchies) & The Winner Is...

It's MWM Time!  That's right...MidWeek Munchies!  But first I would like to say CONGRATS to the winner of the Chocolate Raw Meal from Garden of Life!  The winner is...Katherine!

CONGRATS!  I dropped you an email - if you would like to send me a response with your info I will let GoL know and they will send you your prize!

Now here are some of the goodies I would like to share this week for MidWeek Munchies!  Remember...you can link up anything VEGAN!  Whether it's a farmer's market or grocery store haul, online purchase, something that someone gifted you, a new vegan product find, vegan munchies that you made at home this week, or a edible vegan product review!  Let's see them!

I've blogged before about a few things I have tried from Awesome Foods and I am waiting on some more of their items to arrive including Herb Flax Crackers, Zesty Tomato Flax Crackers, Quinoa Crackers, and Poppadom Chips.  Also on my list to receive this week in the mail are raw almonds, Dark Agave Syrup, a few organic pastas, some Maple & Cinnamon Flax Snackers from Foods Alive, from Alive & Radiant 3 different types of Kale Chips that I have had before and LOVED, and from Living Nutz Pesto Walnuts, Mayan Chili Pistachios, and Vanilla Bean Coconut Creme Walnuts.

I've finally pulled the trigger on all 4 Atlantic Seaweeds, too!  There is Dulse, Kelp, Wakame, and Sweet Kelp!  I would like to start incorporating more of these in my dishes.  I'm assuming I will use them more as a crumble for a more savory flavor in things.

Question of the day:

What are some non-traditional ways you use these seaweeds?

Now it's YOUR Turn...show me what you have for this week's MidWeek Munchies by linking up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Peppermint Water - Ah-HA Moment - and a WINNER!

First of all - I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the giveaway over the weekend for the Chocolate Covered Mulberries and the Chocolate Covered MacNut from Medicinal Foods!  The interest was OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Having said that...the winner of this delicious prize was...
LiberTEAs (aka Anne)
CONGRATS!!

Now...for the rest of my post today!  Ever had one of those AH...HA!!!  Moments?

Well, I had one recently when it came to the water you see here.  It's simple peppermint flavored water.  Those who know me - know I LOVE water and I LOVE peppermint!  I usually grab a bottle of this Metromint when it's on sale but last week I tried NuNaturals Peppermint flavored Stevia in filtered water and it tastes JUST LIKE IT!

All I did was use 2 drops of this NuNaturals Peppermint Stevia in a glass of water - so what is that - like around 10 ounces or so - it just 2 drops is all it takes!  The flavor was AMAZING!

I did do a taste test using 3 drops and I think you can start tasting the Stevia a bit more than the Peppermint.  But at 2 drops you are getting that subtle refreshing minty goodness without going overboard with the mint or the Stevia!

So just a little tip and trick from me here at My Blissful Journey!  And another simple way to use NuNatural's products in  your daily routine!

More WINNERS and More Pics!

Hi gang!  The 7 days of giveaways has come to a close and I have a few announcements to make...

1st Announcement...the winner of the MyKind D3 Vegan Spray was Deborah!

2nd Announcement...the winner of the GRAND PRIZE Prize Pack  of 7 additional Garden of Life Products was Ashley!

CONGRATS to you BOTH!

If you didn't win or even if you are new to my blog be sure to stick around because I have more contests and giveaways coming soon!  Including one later this week!

You are going to LOVE it!

Now...on to some pics!  These were taken this past Sunday I went over to my parents house and their neighbor wanted to see Cricket and snapped some pics and sent them to me.

Due to my job/title change I don't wear jeans as much anymore so it was nice to wear them over the weekend.  I was also sporting one of my many Bob Marley T-Shirts!

Cricket was playing SHY for some reason!  I also took her to the fair grounds for about an hour and one of the guys there called her The Cricket Monster.  I think I will be calling her that when she does her 'zoomies' around the house!

I will most likely have two posts today because I want to share some of the goodies I got in the mail yesterday and today.  So be on the lookout for that!

Thank you all for participating in the giveaways last week!  It was FUN!

I WON A Vitamix! Woot!

I've been chompin' at the bit to post this on my blog...but...today I got an email that it's been officially posted so here it is...

I WON A VITAMIX!

I'm so excited!  I have wanted one for over 6 years but they are pricey!  I usually see them online for about $429 to $449.  I participated in Garden of Life's Bloggers Contest and I actually WON!  This has totally made my YEAR!  In addition to winning - they announced it on their blog!

They also featured THREE of my posts!  The Sweet Protein Balls/Bars, The Pomegranate Strawberry Smoothie, and Citrus Dijon Dressing!  But I have TONS more on here - so - if you are NEW to by blog - feel free to use the SEARCH BAR and type in "Garden of Life" or "GoL".

You KNOW I will let you know when the Vitamix arrives as well post new recipes and ideas when I start using it!  This is a DREAM COME TRUE!  I'm so excited!

BlogLovin & Winner - Coming Soon!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm now a member over at BlogLovin!!!  I'm still playing with it but am now following over 220 Vegan Related Blogs within a matter of minutes!  NICE! 

I will also be posting the winner of last week's contest SOON!  Stay Tuned!

AND...I went back and forth about it for which country to feature this week and decided to go with Vegan Foods from Russia!  It's a challenge but I will at least post 2 Inspired Dishes and/or foods from Russia this week on the blog!

Also this week I will have at least 1 more contest and plenty of reviews!  I will also have LOTS of photos, too!  AND...some surprises along the way!

The weather still isn't great but my spirits and chin are UP!

Here's to an optimistic week!

Leftovers, Vegan Mexican Casserole, Winnings, Reviews

Once again...I have LOTS to share today...including the 3 winners of my VeganDelish iPad/iPhone App Giveaway!  But first...I have some other things to blog about including WHY I am posting a photo of cracked-up Corn Shells!

Yesterday I posted about my Tacos and my Husband declared this week Mexican Foods Week so I wanted to try a few things I have never tried making before.  Well, that's a whole world of foods because I have never been much of a 'cook' before now and even now I use that term loosely!

So, yes, I had leftover corn tortillas from the other night!  I didn't want to throw them away or waste them!  So I ended up attempting this Vegan Mexican Casserole and I must say I am in LOVE!

I started off by pouring out a layer of Salsa on the bottom of the glass pan.  Then I started layering!  Next layer was the corn chips and then a layer of bean/tomato/pepper/onion mix, and then a little Daiya Cheese, and then layer after layer until I got to the top!

Please disregard the grow-dee pans...I am in the process of trying to find new ones at a good price!

What's in the bean mixture, you ask?  Well, let me tell you:

2 C Diced Tomatoes
2 C Black Beans
4 Mini Red Sweet Peppers
4 Mini Red Yellow Peppers
1 Onion
2 tea Wildtree Fajita Seasoning (because it was heavy on the cumin)

Other things you will need for this is:

Vegan Cheese of your choice - I used Daiya - or you could probably use Nutritional Yeast or Vegan Parmesan (or even bread crumbs or potato flakes)

1 small jar of Salsa or about 1 to 2 cups of your own Salsa.

Optional Ideas Include:

Jalapenos, Greens, Olives, Capers, Red Pepper Seeds, Vegan Sour Cream, Vegan Cream Cheese, you could even add some seasoned or flavored TVP, Meatless Crumbles, Tempeh, or other meat alternative if you wish!

And here is a photo of the finished product!  Yes...I'm sporting my Red Bowl!  Yes...I need to get some new Bowls for photos and presentation!  They are on tap AFTER the new pots and pans!

Now...for some WINNERS!  Here are my 3 winners for the VeganDelish iPhone/iPad App:

Christine, ChickpeaFreak, and Azzrian!  Congrats to all three of you!  I will be in touch with you today for your info!

And speaking of winners...I WAS A WINNER over at CarrieOnVegan!  It was announced on Monday!  I am the winner of this awesome cookbook and I can't wait to get it and jump right in!  YAY!

I will be posting another contest TOMORROW so be sure to come back and check it out!

You know how I have been on a Raw Revolution KICK lately!?  Well, I have another flavor to share with you today!  It's their Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Bar!

 

There is a good amount of chocolate flavor throughout the Raw Vegan Bar but there are not HUGE chunks of chocolate like in a few of their other bars but it works out great with the chocolate and the raspberry ratio!  The juicy Raspberry has a glorious flavor and aroma!  The Cashews give you that nutty goodness you are looking for - which is nice, too!  The Cashews with the addition of the various seeds provide a good texture and 'filling' crunch.  The Dates contribute to the overall sweetness and chewiness - that I just LOVE!  This is the perfect go-to for fresh, nutritious, nutty, fruity, sweet snack or quick meal on the go.  The Dark Chocolate and Sweet Combo are always a lovely addition to any day!  YUM!

Midweek Munchies Collage & Green for Irish Week

For Midweek Munchies this week I figured I would just post a Collage of some of the items I purchased online!  I did a SMALL order over at VeganEssentials...and I needed more of my beloved Five Star Artichoke and Cashew Veggie Burgers!  I ended up picking up a few more items like the first 4 things in the collage!  BUT...the brunt of my 'buyings" were over at VitaCost.  I noticed over at CarrieOnVegan a $10 off for new customers.  It's a Refer a Friend type program.  I couldn't resist once I saw all of the things they had on there and at wonderful prices, too!  So I ended up getting my $10 off PLUS Free Shipping.

I then figured out...WHY NOT...sign up for the referral program, too!?  So I did!

If you want $10 off your first purchase click on the $10 Off Your VitaCost Purchase Banned on the right hand side of your screen at the top!  OR simply CLICK HERE.

A few of these are re-purchases for me but most of these products are new-to-me-purchases!  I'm excited!

I know I have posted VERY LITTLE thus far for Irish Foods Week and I do apologize about that!  Sure I did a Veggie Wrap earlier in the week but I will be doing more!  Probably tonight, actually!

I also did a wrap I didn't take a photo of!  It was a Guacamole with Sprouts Wrap...a Spinach Wrap...can't get more GREEN than that, eh!?

OH!!!!!!  By-the-way!  Nell is the winner of the Fearless Chocolate!  Congrats Nell!  I'll be contacting you for your snail mail addy, soon!

If you didn't win...you might next time...I have 4 more contests on tap!  Stay Tuned!

I've been rather obsessed with Lush Gourmet Foods' NUTS lately!  The flavor I would like to talk about today is their Cinnamon Spice!  It's a SWEETER Cinnamon and not a real spicy or hot cinnamon and I like that for this flavored nut!  Sure, I like HOT, but this is perfect and I wouldn't change a thing about it!  It's VERY GOOD...very tasty!  It's a sweet, subtle cinnamon spice and it lingers semi-sweet, too!  It has a slight aftertaste but the after taste is a pleasant one...not a funky one!  YAY!  It has a wonderful crunch without "cracking" your teeth!  It's  like a candied-nut with a sweet cinnamon flavor...it's REALLY wonderful!