Hemp Dill Dressing & Dip, Butternut Pepitas, & Savviness!

I don't know why but this cracked me up way more than it should have this morning.  

Yesterday I didn't feel as hungry and I'm chalking it up to the morning Multigrain Hot Cereal I blogged about yesterday.  I had more today.  It was pretty tasty.

It seems like the guys are doing well with their challenge.  The 3 of them - with the 3 significant others - are in a group text and we have been getting updates often.

As for me - my no pasta and no bread streak remains!  

2 nights ago I made a Hemp Dill Dressing/Dip that turned out well.  The only downside is that now I'm almost out of Hemp Seeds.

1/2 C Hemp Seeds

1/4 C Water

1 tea Wildtree Garlic Galore (or Minced Garlic)

1 Quick squirt of Yellow Mustard

1 tea Dried or Fresh Minced Onion

1 T Balsamic 

1 T Maple Syrup

1/4 C Grapeseed Oil

1 T Dill

Sea Salt to taste (I used about 1/2 T)

My parents spent a long weekend in the Finger Lakes touring wine country and brought back some of these for me!  They are marked VEGAN right on the bag and only contain Butternut Squash Seeds and Sea Salt.  I'm glad they aren't overly salty.  They are JUST RIGHT!  A few handfuls of these bad boys got me thru work yesterday!

These seeds are high in Vitamin and beneficial antioxidants like lutein and beta-carotene. These are the same seeds they roast and press to create their butternut squash seed oil.  The seeds have hulls that are softened by brining and roasting and do not need to be removed before eating; they should be eaten whole.

Zesty Hummus Dressing

Sorry I didn't post a 2nd time like I said I would yesterday. I have been having some glitches with blogger the last couple of days. I'm actually typing this in HTML now because it's the only way the editor will let me create a new post. I apologize if the last couple of posts look funky.

Yesterday was really gloomy and rainy and by the end of the day I just didn't feel like doing anything. I didn't even know what I wanted to eat. I had this simple salad. I decided to take some hummus and make it into a dressing. It was a success! Check out what I threw in my blender and used on my salad...

1/4 C Hummus (I used Trader Joe's Red Pepper Hummus)
1 t Dijon Mustard
3 T Lemon Juice
2 T Minced Garlic
2 t Maple Syrup
Handful of Nutritional Yeast
Handful of Hemp Seeds
Squirt of Coconut Aminos
Splash of Pumpkin Oil
Water as needed

Creamy Red Pepper Vinaigrette - Vegan!

Just a quick post today with a new recipe for Creamy Red Pepper Vinaigrette that is VEGAN!  This can actually be a dip or a dressing!  It's super yummy!  I was going to make something completely different and already put a large amount of Apple Cider Vinegar into my blender and realized I didn't have 2 main ingredients I needed for the recipe I was looking at so instead of wasting what was already in there I shifted gears and came up with a Creamy Red Pepper Vinegar Diddy!

I had some leftover cauliflower and multi-colored mini peppers for dipping.  This was a snack last night and RAW too!

Below you can check out the recipe!  I had a few other things I was going to try and blog about this week but will hold off until next week instead!  Happy Weekend!


Creamy Red Pepper Vinaigrette Recipe

1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 C Cashews
3 T Hemp Seeds
5 Mini Sweet Red Peppers
1/2 T Minced Garlic
1/2 C (or more to thin) Water
3 T Nutritional Yeast
1 tea Smoked Paprika

For a more savory flavor feel free to add a squirt or two of Bragg's Liquid Amino's!

Egg Trick Bagel & Tater Tot Casserole

Yesterday I was able to take a little time in the kitchen with food prep and such.  I've done Strong Hearts Cafe & The Vegan Zombie's Egg Trick Muffin before and have done my own variations.  This time around I used a bagel flat (basically a flat bagel round) instead of an English Muffin.  You may remember that I LOVE using a few tablespoons of salsa on my Egg Trick Muffins so I did that here as you can see it oozing out of the bagel hole.  Inside I just did the seasoned tofu round patty and Daiya Cheese.  It was tasty!  I have 2 more disks of tofu ready to go in my freezer so I'm sure I will be doing this again soon!  I will most likely be doing a side of Tofu Scramble with the edges of the tofu I didn't use.

For a closer look at the tofu egg part - I thought I would take another snap.  Since hubby has been really suffering with his ongoing sinus infections and pneumonia yesterday we had a quiet day at home.  We were able to watch Fantastic Beasts.  It was good!  On Saturday there was a vendor show at our local YMCA.  It ended up being a pretty good turn out.  We were there with our Wildtree stuff!

Now...on to my newest attempt a Tater Tot Casserole!  I told you I was going to do it!!!  And here is what I did!  This first photo is the casserole BEFORE it went into the oven!  Recipe...

Bottom Layer:
Chopped Broccoli & Cauliflower
Chickpeas
In the Middle:
Then I poured 1/2 box of Cashew Ginger Soup over it
Then I added a layer of Daiya Cheese
Top Layer:
Tater Tots - touching - edge to edge
Then the rest of the Cashew Ginger Soup
Then more Daiya Cheese

Sprinkled on top:
Hemp Seeds, Dried Onion, Fresh Minced Garlic, Turmeric, Smoked Paprika, Nutmeg

This next photo is the first piece I took out after baking it at about 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.  I think it turned out great!  As you can see the top vegan cheese layer didn't melt well and I'm sure it was because there wasn't any liquid on top to assist with the melting.

In this photo you can see that the middle layer vegan cheese melted nicely.  I think next time I will put more of the cheese in the middle and less on top OR make a vegan cheese sauce for the top instead of using the shreds and sprinkling them.  I have to say I was pretty tickled with myself on this one.  The only creamy vegan soup I could find at Tops yesterday was the Cashew Ginger one.  It worked pretty well.  I'm sure with a different creamy vegan soup it would change up the overall flavor and I'm looking forward to getting creative with it.  I know I will be able to get multiple meals out of this!  I'm considering making at least one sandwich out of it, too!  I will keep you posted on that if I attempt it!

Tater Tot Casseroles are so versatile and the possibilities are endless!  If I had more time to bake 1 each week I'm sure I could come up with many more ingredient and flavor combinations!

As for the rest of my weekend I had a bit of a hard time with my aches and pains - especially after standing for 7 hours at the vendor show.  My Sciatica kicked in - or what I was thinking was my Sciatica - now I'm wondering if it was Fibromyalgia all along.  Perhaps it's both!  Heck, I don't know!  But another thing I did find out in my research was Apple Cider Vinegar for the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia.  I'm pasting that info below.  It's pretty interesting stuff!  Makes a lot of sense, too!  One of my mini goals for the first part of this week is to create some of those ACV Drinks at home.  Not only will DH drink them - so will I!

While apple cider vinegar does not treat fibromyalgia per se, it has been reported to alleviate many of the symptoms experienced by those living with fibromyalgia.
These include:

Fatigue – Stress (both emotional and physical) causes lactic acid to build up in the body resulting in fatigue. The potassium in apple cider vinegar combats this.

Joint Pain and Headache – Apple cider vinegar keeps the body’s pH level slightly alkaline which helps eliminate joint pain as well as headaches.

Swelling and Inflammation – Apple cider vinegar may be rubbed onto visibly swollen areas. Consuming apple cider vinegar helps relieve inflammation in the body.

Gastrointestinal Issues – Apple cider vinegar contains pectin which helps sooth the colon lining. It assists with loose bowels by forming more “bulk” in the G.I. tract.

While rigorous scientific research cannot support any claims that apple cider vinegar fights or cures fibromyalgia, many anecdotal reports suggest relief and reduction from debilitating fibromyalgia symptoms. Source: https://www.wholesomeone.com/news-articles/apple-cider-vinegar-fibromyalgia

Another Day - Another VEGAN Mac & Cheese

I NEED to get to the store.  I ran out of cashews.  I don't have any pine nuts or Brazil nuts at my house at the moment either.  Believe it or not...I don't even have carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, or much else in the way of produce either.  How the heck did I make this vegan Mac & Cheese, then?

1 C Sunflower Seeds

1/2 C Potato Flakes *

4 Cloves Garlic, Minced

2 T Wildtree Absolutely Onion

Handful of Hemp Seeds

Splash of Pumpkin Oil

1/3 C Nutritional Yeast

1 Hefty Squirt of Yellow Mustard

1 C Water

2 T Apple Cider Vinegar

Sprinkle EACH of Black Sea Salt, Nutmeg, Smoked Paprika, Turmeric

Top with Smoked Paprika, if you wish!

By Potato Flakes you can even use PLAIN Instant Mashed Potato Flakes that also happen to be vegan.

It was pretty tasty.  The texture was different from a smooth cashew base but it was hearty and did the job!

Choco-Plum Smoothie

2 Plums

3/4 of a Banana

1 Scoop of GoL's Chocolate Cacao Raw Protein

2 C Coconut Water

2 T Agave Nectar

2 Drops of Vanilla Extract

1 Drop Stevia (optional)

Cinnamon to taste/optional

I revisited an old favorite with a few alterations and it was wonderful!  You can also top this with cacao nibs, hemp seeds, cinnamon, or nutmeg!

Endless Vegan Bowls!

I've really been into Bowls lately!  It's a whole meal!  I literally throw whatever I have on hand and create something different each time and toss it in a bowl!

First up...Kale, Chickpeas, Onion, Garlic, Red Bell Peppers, Hemp Seeds, Turmeric, Spices, Vegan Sour Cream, Sriracha!  There may or may not be carrots in there, too!  I can't remember.  This was the first one I did of many when I first picked up a HUGE bag of chopped Kale.

If you mix the Sour Cream and Sriracha into everything else it made a nice sauce, too!

I did something VERY similar YET quite different with this next one.

This one has carrots, kale, corn, red bell pepper, garlic, spices, tofu, turmeric, and vegan samosas!

Yes...THOSE Veggie Samosas!  The ones I got at the Dollar Tree!  I'm LOVING them...the best way to do them is to pan fry.  I usually use Grapeseed Oil.

Last night I did another bowl but didn't take a photo but have come to the conclusion that DH doesn't like the smell of Flax Oil...it was the oil I used last night in that bowl.  I'm trying to UP my Omega's while trying to combat this pain I'm having.

When in doubt...make some kind of chickpea spread.

My idea was to have sandwiches but let's just say this didn't make it to the bread.  It was somewhere in between vegan egg salad and vegan tuna fish.  I know that sounds weird but I added dulse and it made it a little fishy (just a hint) and the rest of it had the texture moreso of egg salad.  I've done vegan egg salads using chickpeas before and might have to try and do a more true vegan tuna fish soon.

I have more foody type things to blog about but I am going to save them for tomorrow' MWM (MidWeek Munchies!)

Vegan MoFo ~ Weird Food Combo

For today's Vegan MoFo prompt of "Weird Food Combos You Love" I have to admit I was a little stumped.  Mostly because the 'average person' thinks no matter what I eat is 'weird'.  I guess I could tell you about having to go a picnic or potluck where I didn't prepare my own food well and having to 'settle' for a vegan hotdog.  And by that I don't mean an actual vegan hotdog or veggie pup - I mean having Mustard, Ketchup, and Relish on a roll!  People really look at me like I'm going insane.  But desperate times call for desperate measure, eh?

So I guess instead of ranting about all of the weird things I eat or really trying to come up with an out-of-this-world flavor combo I thought this would be a good time to post some of the 'thrown together' wraps I have been creating as of late.  All of which have been pretty darned tasty!  First up is the one you see above!  This one has Potato Patties that I cubed and pan fried along with mushrooms, red sweet peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, and Vegan Shriracha Mayo.

Next up is this one.  It may not look pretty but it was pretty darn tasty!  This has Zucchini, Red Bell Peppers, Pine Nuts, Mushrooms, Spinach, Corn, Spices,  and Sesame Oil.

This is similar but different, I guess!  This one has Carrots, Spinach, Corn, Red Bell Peppers, Zucchini, Hemp Seeds, Spices, and Jalapeno Grapeseed Oil (Wildtree Brand)

I guess moral of the story besides experimenting with different combos of food is that wraps are a great way to mix it up and throw in various fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds to get more of a nutritional benefit.  Normally I would branch out even more with what I put in each in individual wrap but this is what I had on hand.  This was also an 'eating from your pantry' type post.  

Looking ahead to the weekend I did do some scheduled posts and they were pretty fun.  But I do see some potential rocky roads ahead with these prompts so I might tackle them in a round about way with a loose interpretation.

Quinoa Broccoli Bowl

Sunday I made this dish - as well as others - to get a jump start on my week of foods.  If you scroll down you will see I did a bit of Meal Planning this week.  This specific dish was inspired by Jason Wrobel.  The video of his recipe is at the bottom of this post.  I made a few changes based on what I had in my kitchen.

Instead of 'just' Quinoa I decided to use a Super Grain Blend of white and red Quinoa, Millet, and Buckwheat.  Instead of 'only' broccoli I used Broccoli, Peas (in the pod), and Yellow Bell Peppers.

I had just a very little bit of Daiya Shreds I need to use so it was perfect for this dish because you only use a very little bit.  I did top it with Hemp Seeds and Kale Chips, too!  For the Kale Chips I used a Mexican Flavor that I had on hand...it was perfect because when you get down to the last little bit of Kale Chips in the bag - it's just a bunch of crumbs - so it was ideal!

Here's a closer look at the dish.  It turned out really well!  It was very tasty!  Towards the end of Jason's video when he samples it - he makes a special comment on the 'mouth feels' of the dish and eventho I dislike that phrase - I totally agree with him.

You are probably wondering why I don't like the phrase 'mouth feel'...no reason, really...it just drives me nuts!  It's right up there with "shindig" and "panties" - I can't stand 'em!


Anyhow...here's the original video and recipe from Jason Wrobel himself.  He's so entertaining I really like his YouTube Channel!  I really need more 'bowls' in my life.  Perhaps that will be another mini goal of mine...to make more "bowls" and one pot meals.  Questions of the day...what are some words that drive you NUTS?  What are your favorite 'bowl meals' or 'one pot meals'?

Colorful Weekend, Mason Jar Set, Red Pepper Tahini Dressing & Soup Recipes!

This past weekend was a CRAZY BUSY one...but in a good way!  This is my 2nd post for today - so - be sure to scroll down for the other one as to why half of the weekend was NUTS.

This post, however, will include some other things from the weekend.  As well as some items from last week - when I was under the weather.

First off - this selfie I took.  I'm trying to take some more of them because no one takes photos of me and I'm always behind  the photo while taking pics of groups, events, travel, and food.  I'm not very good at selfies but I'm trying!

The main reason for this one is to show off one of my new shirts I got this past weekend.  Yup!  I was able to go on a bit of a shopping spree for clothes, specifically.  I don't often do that but I was PAST Due for some clothes!  I've been pitching a lot of them but I will wear stuff until I literally am not able to any longer.  That and so many more of the clothes I had are 3 sizes too big!


One of the items I scored at Sam's Club a little over a week ago was this 6 piece Mason Jar Set.  I couldn't resist...it was calling to me!  You get all 6 glass mugs with handles, lids, straws, and burlap holder as you see here - but - it also comes with 6 additional straws (photo below).  These are heavy-duty reusable plastic straws.

Online this set is selling for $16.49, I think...but...for some reason I think I only paid $14 and some change for it.  I REALLY Love the way it looks...so bright and fun!  I can't wait to fill them with juices and smoothies!  Here's a pic of the orange one up close!  They are just too cute, aren't they!?

In food related news...

I made some home made raw vegan dressing and it turned out AWESOME!

And it only uses 3 ingredients!  Here's a quick recipe for you!

2 Sweet Red Bell Peppers
1/4 C Lemon Juice
3 T Tahini


I had a large salad last night with the dressing on it.  A few cups of various lettuces, shredded carrots, red cabbage, Green Peppers, Y.E.L.O. Tomatoes, and Hemp Seeds!

While I was eating it all I could think about was how flavorful it was and then I wondered if I could make a soup out of it.  So I did.

After using more than half of it as a dressing I then made a soup by adding the following...

2 T Minced Sun Dried Tomatoes & Garlic
1/4 C Basil

I have to say I was totally impressed with this flavor, too!

The addition of the garlic REALLY pumped it up!  The Sun Dried Tomatoes didn't hurt either.  It makes me want to do more raw(ish) soups VERY soon!

Rosemary Hemp Seed Pesto

A fairly brief post today - basically to share with you one of my new favorite sauces I made last night!  I think I will call it Rosemary Hemp Seed Pesto! 

In my Vitamix I put...
1 T Lemon Juice
1/3 C Hemp Seeds
1 T Grapeseed Oil
1 teaspoon of Rosemary
1/2 tea Turmeric
1/4 C Nutritional Yeast
1/4 C Onion Shoots (Sprouts from the tops of Onions)
Pinch of Cayene

* You could use Green Onions or Chives instead of the Onion Shoots, I suppose!

This turned out SUPER tasty!  Even better than I expected!  And surprise, surprise...I didn't even use Garlic!  That just might be a first!

I put this on the remaining Pasta-Oh's I've had for a while now...I finally finished them off!  YAY!  And I added a handful of Frozen Peas to it, too!

I did enjoy the hint of Cayenne in there and think I might add more next time because I enjoyed it so much!

This is a sauce or a Pesto-like alternative I can see myself making a lot of!  I really want to try it on Broccoli and/or Cauliflower!

Speaking of Cauliflower...my Roasted Coconut Curry Cauliflower was featured on Urban Naturale's Pot Luck Party from last week!   Thanks, girl!

Marinated Cucumber Tomato Hemp Seed Salad, Butternut Squash Lentil Walnut Kale Curry, Today's Lunch!

TGIF!  What am I eating today!?  Well, here's a peak!

From top left - Butternut Squash, Lentil, and Kale Curry (Recipe Below), on the side - Cucumber, Tomato, and Hemp Seed/Hemp Heart Marinated Salad (Recipe Below), at bottom - store brought dried crisp "snapeas"...I found at a random store that aren't too bad but I will be dehydrating some of my own in the near future.

I used a Cucumber and a half and a Large Tomato for this.  After I cut them...I added the following...

3 T Red Wine Vinegar
2 T (or less) of Wholesome Sweeteners' Organic Sugar
1 to 2 T Hemp Seeds/Hemp Hearts (Manitoba Harvest)

I marinated it overnight in the frig.  It's very flavorful and yummy!  Since I haven't gotten cut with the decor in the Bento Boxes I'm hoping the colors of Red & Green will qualify for this week's Christmas Theme?

For the Butternut Squash, Lentil, Walnut, Kale Curry
I did the following...

1-pound of Butternut Squash
1 C Kale
1 Shallot
Splash of Grapeseed Oil (Wildtree Basil Pesto Flavor)
2 tea Curry Powder
1/2 C Walnuts
2 T Cilantro
Lime Juice to Taste

Participating in: Pin Me #64, Bento For Kidlet's Meatless Monday, Freedom Fridays, Bento Blog Network #116, Leftovers On Fridays, 

Cheezy Raw Nacho Sauce

This was given to me from a friend of a friend of a friend who got it from KristinsRaw.com - I need to locate some Hemp Seeds first but wanted to save this recipe :)

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Prep time: Less than 10 minutes

• 1/3 cup water
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped (approximately 1 cup)
• 1 cup hemp seeds
• 2 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
• 1 tbsp chili powder*
• 2sps tamari, wheat-free
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan crystal salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp turmeric powder