"A few of my favorite Things" Mondays!!

Hello my RAW Vegan, Vegan, and Vegetarian family!!!

It's Monday and a little dreary today. It is not as cold outside as it looks but I still didn't want to venture outside today (other than to go pick the kids up from school). While, I am at home with my three year old and making a salad, I started thinking about some of my favorite things that I am using in my RAW vegan journey as well as some things that I would love to try and have. So, I thought I would share them with you. I will devote Mondays to doing just that.

I am going to kick off this weekly post with an absolute favorite of mine. I absolutely love coconut oil.

When I say love it, I MEAN LOVE IT. I use it in our meals, on our bodies, and in our hair. It is something we use a lot of. First, I always use extra virgin, organic raw coconut oil meaning that is has not been heated over a certain degree or treated in any way. The smell is incredible and it does the job when it comes to our overall needs.

Let me give you some healthy facts about coconut oil:

"The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing,etc.."

www.organicfacts.net

Coconut oil is amazing in smoothies, shakes, salad dressings, desserts, and anything else you can think of. A tablespoon a day is all you need. You must try it and see why I love it so much. Well I am going to make this a short quick post......gotta go order some more coconut oil. ;-)

Here's to taking your health back,

TwinkieR*

RAW NEWS FRIDAY!! "Raw and Uncut" by TwinkieR

RAW NEWS FRIDAY!! "Raw and Uncut"

by TwinkieR

Hello My Vegetarian, Vegan, and RAW Vegan Family!!!

Much love and Blessings to you on this wonderful Friday. It is very rainy here in Arkansas this morning but I am enjoying it. We didnt get much rain in Arizona so for me it is welcomed. I just hope my garden can tolerate it (you know I am a newbie at gardening). My hubby is off today so I am expecting a great day all the way around (Yay, me)! ;-)

Well since it is VeganMoFo, I thought I would devote my Fridays to showing love and support to my family as well as informing people of what is going on in the Raw and Vegan food world. If I miss anything going on, let me know (twitter or FB) and I will make sure to show you some love. I pray that my posts on Friday will give some people encouragement to try some new things to promote their health. PLUS, to have some fun because eating healthier AWESEOME!

Some of this information is a recap of what went on this week as well as upcoming details of some events, products, reviews, and anything that I think should be known.

I want to start off with Jim Carey, his "INCREDIBLE" Dr. Ann Wigmore Raw living foods Lifestyle Home Study program on DVD is back! Now you can have the best of both worlds (online or DVD). Find out more about this great program at http://rawlivingfoods.typepad.com/1/2009/10/ok-you-win-its-back-sometimes-i-get-too-hightech.html .

Congratulations are in order for a beautiful Raw Goddess, Kristen Suzzane of Kristen's Raw http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/ . Kristen is expecting a wonderful bundle of joy. I am so excited for her. Check out her blog, you will be so glad you did! Kristen, Get some rest and enjoy your alone time with hubby because once the little one is here......Raw Energy will be needed! Smooches....

Now for those Rockstars out there, (you know who you are) Philip McCluskey has revamped and relaunched his site "Loving Raw: the Raw food Rockstar Community" http://www.lovingraw.com/ ! I am loving it. Here is a guy that knows how to party Raw style! Philips is also planning a bi-coastal rockstar birthday party(ies) in November. He is looking to celebrate in N.Y. and L.A. Philip, I am looking forward to partying Rawkstar style!

Matt Monarch, The Raw Food World Presents a very special interview with Dr. Gabriel Cousens on his radio program on October 15, 2009, 10 pm Eastern time (7pm Pacific time). I am not going to miss this! Listen in and learn from one of the most knowledgable health experts on the planet. You can check out the details and sign up at http://www.rawspirit.org/radioshow.html .

I also want to give a shout out to the grand opening of the resteraunt/shop/educational facility- 105 Degrees! I so wish I could have attended that event. I know it was absolutely MARVELOUS!! I have seen so many pictures and video's of the celebration and I know that a great time was had by all. I guess I am going to have to take a trip to Oklahoma City (I will blog about that experience when I go) really soon. Man, I am going to book that trip after this blog post. LOL!! In the meantime, check out their site at http://105degrees.com

I am sure that there are many other things that are happening in the Raw Food World but I thought I would give you a taste of what Raw News Friday will be about. If you have something awesome coming up or going on, email, FB, or Twitter me. I am sure the family would love to know what is going on.

Until next Friday...Many RAW Blessings to you! Kisses....

TwinkieR* A.K.A. The Raw Twinkie

Its Vegan MoFo!!

Hello Everyone!! It’s been a while since I have posted something (well a couple of weeks) and I have had some things going on here in Little Rock. I am enjoying myself learning my way around (thank God for GPS). I was so consumed with acclimating myself with Arkansas, that I almost forgot about VeganMoFo. I wanted this to be the first year participating and I almost missed it. Thankfully I have some amazing friends who kept me in the loop! Thanks Robyn, @ www.girlonraw.com!

Okay down to business, I am going to be posting every day this month some fantastic recipes as well as a look into my life being a mom, wife, and RAW Vegan foodist. So pretty much you will enjoy the fast paced comical world in which I live. This month will be so much fun (well, for me at least). LOL!! Let me start out by re-introducing myself. I am TwinkieR A.K.A. The Raw Twinkie and between my Awesome Hubby (A.H.) and I, I am a mother of 10 children (I physically had three of them). I have been married to my A.H. for going on four years, I am a Raw Food Chef, Life Coach, Writer, and Educator. I lived in Phoenix Arizona until July (my husbands job relocated us) when we moved to Little Rock Arkansas. I can tell you in my household there is not a dull moment. Not even during the sleeping hours. LOL! So now that I have introduced myself, I will say nice to meet you again. Now on to the good stuff.....

I was in the kitchen cleaning out the fridge yesterday when I decided to make a soup out of what I had left. I will tell you that it was one of the best soups I have ever made since going RAW. I was impressed with how incredible the flavors meshed together. The boldness of the herbs gave way to the Campari tomatoes and let them be an incredible star in this soup. Since I am used to really warm weather in Phoenix, I was trying to prepare my

mind for the fall here in Arkansas. It is starting to get cooler and I was looking for some tips and suggestions on how to adjust to being RAW in the fall and winter. After this soup however, after eating this soup, I dont think I will have to worry at all!

Fall RAW Vegetable Soup!

Makes about 3-4 servings

1 carrot (chopped) 1 cucumber

1 1/2 cups of spinach

1 clove of garlic

3 campari tomatoes

1/2 of a red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and a yellow bell pepper

2 green onions

1 teaspoon of cumin

1 tablespoon of fresh sweet basil

1 tablespoon of italian herb seasoning

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

1 tablespoon of hemp seeds

1/2 teaspoon of celtic sea salt (more if you desire)

1/2 cup of Water

Blend all ingredients together until soup (creamy) consistency and enjoy!

To add some texture to the soup I chopped some additional bell peppers, carrots, and green onions and tossed them in after the soup was finished blending. I loved it! Not only me but........

My three year old was all over my soup.

I am grateful that she loves fruits and veggies though. Eat as much as you like Ce Ce, just save mom some! ;-)

Much love to you and yours,

TwinkieR a.k.a. The RAW Twinkie

The Raw Twinkie's Weekly Newsletter! Enjoy!

I have started a weekly newletter. I hope you enjoy it!

Much Love!

http://bit.ly/1a87xJ

Organization is key! A lot of Changes going on!

Hello my Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian Family, Yes it is I. It seems like it has been forever since I have last posted (and indeed it has been). I have been doing some blogging just not on this particular blog. I have a website that I just started up and I have been doing some blogging there. Also I have another Blog on Blogger also. I also have a family blog that I have been working on too. Needless to say, I have not been very proactive on informing you on this information highway. So with that being said, I am committing myself to keeping this blog and my website updated. I must get organized with everything that is going on. I love writing and sharing with others. I just needed to concentrate on where to do that at. Now that I have that resolved, lets get down to business.

Let me update you on a few things that are going on in my life right now, as well as some awesome RAW food that I have been eating. I have moved from Sunny Arizona to HUMID Arkansas! My Awesome Hubby's job relocated us and I do feel that it is for the best. I am excited at all the opportunities that I will have to share, educate, and create in regards to the RAW vegan lifestyle. A gentleman who was helping us with some work around the house said he had never heard of RAW vegan food before. He said "you should open up a little cafe' or something, I would come sometimes, though I am not saying I would go totally RAW vegan or anything" LOL!! That got me happy. Not because he said that he would come to a cafe' if I opened one but at the prospect that he was open to hearing what I had to say. He was willing to give something he had never heard of a try. Family, I am LOVING what I am and what I do. So The Raw Twinkie is about to RAWK Little RAWK Arkansas!

Another thing that I have started while here in RAWRKANSAS (Can you tell I love playing with RAW), is a garden. I have never had one before but have always wanted one. I am so grateful for a beautiful backyard up on which to create nourishment for my family and myself. Please keep in mind that I am an amatuer at gardening. I became ecstatic when I saw the seeds start germinating and green started peeking out from the earth. I could not contain myself last on Wednesday when I woke up and looked outside and saw life coming forth. I had to make my AH (awesome hubby) get up and take a look.

I planted some zucchini, squash, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, spinach, cabbage, romaine lettuce, bibb lettuce, purple hull peas, mint, thyme, sage, basil, rosemary, and oregano. (the basil, rosemary, and oregano are in pots and they were plants). I am so grateful to be able to eat something that came from my backyard. It feels so good to be able to know where my food is coming from.

I have also been to our farmers market here and it is AWESOME. Buying local is truly the next best thing to growing your own food. I have meet some really nice people there and the vegetables and fruit are off the chain. I was so happy about going to the farmers market, I took along my video camera (please excuse the video quality, I am learning to use the camera). LOL! It is great to get to know the people who are also growing the food you are eating. I say if you cant get to a farmers market, see if you can join your local CSA. That way you can still get your food local.

Wow, that is a lot of information for now... I will share more with you on Wednesday. I have a couple of exciting recipes to share as well. Oh, I almost forgot....I can not leave you with out a recipe, now could I? This dessert is absolutely delicious!

“ORANGE YOU GLAD YOU LIKE CHOCOLATE PUDDING”

Makes 2-4 servings

1 1/2 of coconut milk (blend 1 cup coconut water and 1 cup coconut flesh together)

1/2 to 1 cup of cashews, soaked

1/2 cup of Agave

1/2 teaspoon of orange zest

1/2 cup of raw cocao powder

1/8 teaspoon of fine sea salt

In a high powered blender begin by combining the coconut water and coconut flesh to make your milk. Once it has a milky consistency add your cashews. Blend until your cashews have become nice and smooth. Then add your remaining ingredients and blend until it has a creamy texture. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for about an hour. Then serve.

You can serve this just as it is in a nice glass or add some RAW granola, or fruit in between layers, or you can put them in freezer popsicle containers for a nice cold treat. The name of the game is enjoying yourself. I know I am!

Many Blessings!

TwinkieR* A.K.A. The Raw Twinkie

My New Dehydrator and my New Life!

Good morning my raw vegan, vegan, and vegetarian family!!

My last post was about my dehydrator blowing up and I mean it blew up big time!!! I was so excited that my AH ordered me a new one and I was waiting like a little girl on Christmas eve sleeping with one eye open waiting on the jolly guy with the red coat. I was elated when the day it arrived, my AH just happened to be outside washing the cars when it arrived. He had just as big a grin on his face as I did as he carried the box in and looked over towards me. I kept thinking "MY HERO", as he sat the box gently down upon the counter. Okay, I was going into fairytale mode but you get my enthusiasm, don't you? LOL!! So, I opened the box (my AH helped) and we set it up in the place we had dedicated "food blower station" in our kitchen. I started pulling out all the recipes that had collected while waiting on the dehydrator to arrive. To say the least, sheer joy was in our household. The kids were happy and jumping around (although my two year old wasn't quite sure of the "why" but she was more than excited to jump around anyway). I will say that I have had the dehydrator for a couple of weeks now and I am enjoying all the wonderful creations that I am able to make with it. From banana chips to jalapeno sun burgers, I am truly satisfied but my real reason for having this dehydrator is so that I can take the next step of my journey in to being "The RAW Twinkie", a raw food chef. I know that you should be prepared with the very best when embarking upon such an amazing life so "Excalibur" is truly the way to go. I am going through my RAW chef certification class today so that I may gain additional knowledge in the field of becoming a raw chef. I also would love to take (I am putting this our there into the universe) some classes through Living Light Culinary art Institute. I am just taking my life one day at a time and enjoying the steps that I am taking to get where I want to be.

Love to you all and have a FABULOUS life!!

TwinkieR*

My Dehydrator blew!

What is a girl to do..... CELEBRATE!!! YES!!! I had an older model Nesco snackmaster dehydrator. It was a good item for me to start out with and get my feet wet in the world of dehydration. So when it blew out (as it exhaled its last puff of air) Puff..puff...puf...pu....p, I promptly held it close to me as if I had a sick child in my arms.

Now, I am not sure if my AH thought I had lost it or what but when he sauntered into the kitchen and saw me ever so tightly clutching this huge electric food dryer (as my AH calls it), he let out a big laugh, turned and said, "well you said you wanted that Excalibur 9 tray food dryer, so it looks like I am going to have to get it now". If you could have seen the look on my face as I put the Nesco down on the counter and followed my AH into the living room, you would have thought I was put into a trance and he had the power. I yelled out "are you serious?" He said "yes, I was just waiting to see what you could make with that food blower". Well everyone, my hubby is ordering my Excalibur as I am typing this blog post! I can not wait! Though I had good times with the Nesco dehydrator, I am looking for even better times with the Excalibur! What to make first....what to make first???

Rawsome Blessings to you,

TwinkieR*

WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON???

Okay, okay,

So last nights post turned into this mornings post. My two year old was running a fever and I has to take care of her (though my AH does a great job with her as well). I also got a chance to make a black and blueberry cobbler from Ani Phyo http://www.aniphyo.com/category/recipes/page/4/

It was so delicious! I was going to post the pics of the cobbler but I think my stomach wanted the first look. LOL!! I will take a pic of maybe what's left...

On to what has been going on in my world. For those of you that dont know I have started a social networking site for women celebrating the RAW food lifestyle www.womenintheraw.ning.com. I have also been getting back into the swing of writing (amongst my other talents). I had been working on something I call a blogvel (blog/novel) a while ago and I have decided to get to work and continue with it. You can check it out at www.twinkier.synthasite.com (and please keep in mind that back then I was not a raw foodist-LOL). I will be updating that site once a week. Also I am almost finished working on a site for others that would like to showcase their writings in a blogvel format. More on that later.

I have decided to go for a RAW chef certification. I have had so many people try the dishes I create and then ask me to make more for them. They even pay me!!! WOW!! I love the way I feel helping others. I feel like I am in some way helping to contribute to their health. I also love the feel of being in the kitchen creating dishes and recipes). From their I am looking forward to having a business as a raw food chef as well as start a non profit-organization for Seniors and those that are looking into being and staying healthy. I have quite a few other things up my sleeve as well but for now these are the things that I am working on. I will keep you posted as I complete each goal. Thank you all for the support and encouragement. I really appreciate it!

Now..hhuumm....for a mentor....Let's see....Kristen (http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/) are you available? ;-)

Love to you all,
TwinkieR*

Trying to experiment on planning!

Hello my RAW, VEGAN, VEGETARIAN Family!!

I have had a lot going on in the past few weeks which I am going to spend some time tonight (later) to catch you up to speed (hyper speed) LOL!! So, I am having this discussion with the AH (awesome hubby) and we are talking about setting up a budget for myself specifically for my lifestyle. I totally agree with this mind you. I am all for budgeting but what I was doing was as I felt the move of the wind, I would just get up and go shopping and getting whatever I saw in my path. I would get home and then I would try to figure out what I had bought and what I was going to use it for. I would wait until the last minute and see a recipe that I wanted to try, go and get the ingredients for it and would come out spending more than what I told my AH what it would be. I basically didn't have a plan.

Well, here is my experiment (of sorts). I spent some time today comprising a menu for myself of what I would eat for the week. I then created a list of ingredients for those dishes that I would need to get. Keep in mind that there are things that I already have at home so the list would be what I would need to pick up. I will document exactly the cost associated with what I have to get as well as how the week went planning this way. This might be a great way to get myself in order (let's see). So here is what my menu looks like this week:

Menu for the week:

Breakfast:

Smoothies (everyday)

Snacks:

Cauliflower & Carrot Chips (from RawDog Rory) http://rawdawgrory.com

Creamy Taco Sauce http://rawdawgrory.com/

Seeds/Nuts (various)

Home made Tahini

Food:

Creamy marinated Kale Salad (from Latrice at http://www.lifeitdetox.com

Jalapeño burger & Avocado fries (from Carmella) at http://thesunnyrawkitchen.blogspot.com

Kelp Noodles (my own creations)

Mock Tuna Salad (from Rawvolution by Matt Amsden)

Plenty of leafy green Salads

Desserts:
Raw black and blueberry pie (Ani’s Raw)
Raw chocolate Ice Cream (from Sheri at http://greenandcrunchy.blogspot.com )

Chocolate Pudding (back up) (from Raw Food Real World by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis)

Here is my grocery list:

Grocery List

1 Cauliflower
2 Bags of Carrots
Hemp oil/Olive oil
Chili Powder
Nutritional yeast
3 bags of spinach
3 bunches of kale
2 packages of mixed organic greens (salad)
Tomatoes (various types) about 20
15 lemons (maybe more)
2 bags of raw sunflower seeds
1 bag of Raw Pecans
1 bag of Raw Walnuts
1 bag of Raw Cashews
1 bag of hemp seeds
2 bags of Dates (1 medjool and 1 honey)
1 bag of sun dried tomatoes
10 reg avocados and 2 California avocados (the big ones)
10 pounds of banana’s
2 onions (yellow)
1 bag of green onions
1 pound of ground flax seeds
Garlic (2 heads)
Chipotle powder
Agave
2 stalks of celery
10 coconuts
4-6 red and yellow peppers
Mushrooms
Dulse flakes
Dried dill
2 pints of strawberries
2 pints of blueberries
2 pints of blackberries
2 pineapples
10 pounds of apples

Let's see how I do! Let's get this experiment party started! Dont forget I will be back tonight with how things have been going for me!!

Love ya;-)

TwinkieR*

Day One Smoothie/Juice FEAST

Hello my AMAZING vegan, vegetarian, raw family!!!!



First of all good morning! I greet you with smoothie in hand (as I have one almost every morning) and with a large smile. Do you remember why???? Well, today is day one of my seven day smoothie/juice feast!! I was going to just do smoothies at first but I thought about how much I love juices (both veggie and fruits). I am used to having fresh juice at least once every other day so I decided to get the best of both worlds and combine them for this seven days. I can tell you that I am excited because I really started thinking about what I would love and anticipate happening during this time. I thought I would share them with you (also, those who may be doing this as well might have the same thoughts).



I would love more of a spiritual connection, clarity, energy, weight loss. I will as well be in great reflection on some of the goals that I have set for myself and my family. I am grateful for this time to give my body the rest, and rejuvention that it needs. I am sure that I will be posting here throughout the day as well as over the course of the next seven days about what is going on during this time. I am expecting some INCREDIBLE things to happen. So with that being said....Let me get back to my smoothie! YUM!!!


What I have had so far today:



Water (16 Ounces)

Banana, peach, coconut oil smoothie (1 quart-enjoying this right now)


I will keep you posted!!

A GREEN SMOOTHIE DETOX plus loads of other exciting things!!!

Hello my wonderful Vegan/Vegetarian/Raw family!!!

I am so excited because there are so many things that are going on in my life right now. I am excited about being a RAW vegan! I am excited that I have decided to start a business in creating and preparing RAW food and RAW desserts. I am also going to start speaking about the important benefits on living a RAW vegan lifestyle. I am so excited that my women in the raw website (www.womenintheraw.ning.com) is going forward and I have some AMAZING ideas going forth with that. I have a mission that I am also going to need support on. My grandmother has moved here to Phoenix a few months ago and I am going to assist her with some of her eating habits. She has quite a few hurdles to cross such as diabetes, a pace maker, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, and a few other things that she is facing. If you have any suggestions on some books, websites, blogs, or any other form of media that I may be able to research and purchase to gain some assistance to what I am going to be doing with changing her diet, I would appreciate it. Also if you yourself have overcome some of these obstacles let me know what tips you may have as well.

I am going to start something that I have been wanting to do for sometime now and that is a smoothie feast/smoothie detox. I was looking through some of my favorite blogs and Eve (thank you) at http://eves-journey.blogspot.com started my RAW senses to perk up! She had done a video blog on one of her posts where she talks about Victoria Boutenko's book "Green For Life" and how she was doing a 7 days smoothie detox. The wheels started spinning in my head. "You know you have been thinking about doing this for quite some time. You know that you can do anything you put your mind to." And with that the decision is made! Starting on Friday I will be starting my green smoothie feast/detox! I love it!! Anyone who would like to join me during this time......LET'S DO THIS!!!

I'm so excited......and I just can't hide it........I'm about to lose control and I think I like it..... (oops, sorry that's an old Pointer Sister's song). LOL!!! I'm just so excited........

GOING RAW!!!

Hello My Vegan/Vegetarian family!

I havent posted in a while (and no I have not fallen off the vegan wagon). LOL!!! I have actually taken some time to think about my life and my values. Yes, I enjoyed all the benefits that have come with eating a vegan diet however I have been really considering taking it to the next level, which for me was going towards a RAW Vegan lifestyle. Let me tell you this!!! IT IS AWESOME!! So what I am going to do is write about this journey that I have undertaken and I hope you enjoy every aspect of what I will be sharing with you. Come along for the ride! We can do this together!

I have been eating RAW veggies and fruits exclusively pretty much for the past two months. I am so excited about this new quest that I also created a social networking site so that I may also help encourage others as well as get some additional support myself into the RAW lifestyle. My site is http://www.womenintheraw.ning.com/ . It is free to join and I welcome all women wherever they are in their eating journey! I have missed you all and I promise I wont be away that long again!

Here is to much success in living the most incredible life ever!!!

Love ya!
TwinkieR*

UNCLE EDDIES VEGAN COOKIES

Okay my wonderful vegetarian/vegan family! WHEW! I have to write about this......I want you to run not walk but run to your nearest health food store such as Whole Foods and pick up a bag or two (maybe even three) of "Uncle Eddie's" vegan cookies.

They are amazing. I can not even begin to describe to you how wonderful they are. I tried the chocolate chip with walnuts and the oatmeal chocolate chip. I know that there has to be a law somewhere against how good they are. I guess I wasn't the only one addicted to these cookies, my hubby and my children devoured my remaining cookies as I went to change clothes after coming home from work. I turned the back of the bag around to see what mystical spell Uncle Eddie had put on us. The cookies are loaded with all natural, all organic ingredients. As they say on the back of the bag "a labour of pure love"! I say to Uncle Eddie, I am so glad that you love me! If you....no, when you try them I would love to hear back from you on what you think. Uncle Eddie...........WELCOME to my family!

**If your area does not carry Uncle Eddie's Vegan Cookies, You can visit their website at www.vegancookies.com.

SQUASH SOUP WITH SCALLIONS

Hello my Vegetarian/Vegan family!

It is the new year 2009 and with it not promises but realities of excitement, success, and prosperity. This I know will happen for all of you as well as myself.

Since it is still winter (and I know it's cold outside for many of you), I am so happy to share with you this INCREDIBLE soup that I heard about. I actually found this soup from a great website called Vegan Street http://www.veganstreet.com. I know you wont believe this but I had never had squash before. I didn't know what it tasted like nor did I know how to prepare it. So be it that I am on this amazing way of living I decided to give this soup a try. I can be adventurous when I want to be. LOL! I took the recipe and got started in the kitchen to create this creation of inner warmth. The smell alone brought with it memories of my mom and grand mom cooking homemade items in the kitchen. This was going to be good I told myself. My husband even commented on the magnetic aroma that this soup brought forth. It was almost like he couldn't wait to taste it either (which was the case).

Awesome Hubby (AH) waiting to try the squash soup after he followed the smell of it downstairs. Our two year old took the picture (that is why it looks like that).

When it was finished cooking, my hubby and I sat and looked at each other to see who would try this comfort food first. We both tried it at the same time. Can I just say.....OH MY GOODNESS!! This soup was wonderful.




I wanted to snuggle in a warm blanket in front of a fireplace and eat this soup continuously. Needless to say this will remain a staple in my repertoire. Here is the recipe. I dare you to try it. As a matter of fact, invite me over and we can enjoy it together! ;-)

SQUASH SOUP WITH SCALLIONS

http://www.veganstreet.com/veganliving/recipes008.html

1 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped into 1-inch chunks

1/4 cup mirin or dry sherry

1 Tbsp. tamari

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced

1/2 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms

3 cups vegetable stock

4 scallions, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

In a medium soup kettle, combine the squash, mirin, tamari, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the squash is cooked through, about 5 - 7 minutes. Add the salt, pepper and scallions and serve hot. Serves four. This soup calls for 1 tsp. dried hot red pepper flakes in the original recipe. I did try it this way the first time but it was a little too much for my children and my grandmother so I made a second batch without the heat. Fabulous!

** Side note. I added a little change in the recipe to give it a little personal touch. I took about 1 1/2 cup of the soup and a cup of almond milk and pureed it until smooth. I then added it back into the soup to give it a thicker consistency.

A "GREEN" VEGAN RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE

I had been avoiding eating out as much as possible while being vegan. I did it first of all to make sure that I knew what I was putting into my body and second, because I consider my self a pretty good cook. There was no need to go out to McDonald's when I had Chef Nettrea at home. LOL! That was great until I heard of a vegan restaurant here in Phoenix Arizona. It's name foretold all I needed to entice me to check out its fare. "Green" new American vegetarian is what it is called and I wanted to see just how "green" I could get.





Monica who works at "Green"! She was awesome! (Thanks Monica)




When I first walked through the door I was greeted with what seemed like a familiar warmth. Everyone was friendly which made me want to stick around and stay awhile even if I didn't order anything. I took one of my good friends, Michelle with me. She is not a vegan/vegetarian but she knows good food when she tastes it. So I brought another expert in food with me to revel in the experience. We were greeted by one the nicest young ladies I have come across in a long time. Her smile instantly told me that I was about to enjoy myself. Her name is Monica and she was very down to earth and was patient while waiting on us to decide what we wanted to eat.





Michelle Enjoying the meal!

We FINALLY ordered the vegan crab puffs, orreciette pasta (pasta with vegan meatballs, you can also get it with mock chicken), The secret barbecue chicken sandwich with their espresso barbecue sauce with vegan mayo, thyme fries, green tea, and their AMAZING oatmeal cookies for dessert. Michelle and I had thought we went to vegan heaven. Everything was perfect. I am telling you if you are ever in phoenix or if you live here, take some time to enjoy "Green"!

"Green" New American Restaurant was incredible!

You can visit their website: http://www.greenvegetarian.com

Their address is: 2240 N. Scottsdale Rd. #8

Tempe, Arizona 85281

Phone: 480-941-9003