Sunday, March 04, 2007

Loads of news (and some food, too)

I feel bad that I haven't been posting, but I feel like a complete jerk because I haven't been commenting on everyone else's yummy creations! I'm so sorry, but things will be straightening out soon and I look forward to being less of a lurker and seeing what you all have been up to.

I haven't been around much lately because the final bits and pieces of my cookbook, The Damn Tasty Vegan Baking Guide, are coming together! It's very, very exciting but it's also very busy and stressful. We're dealing with the layout and some design issues right now, but it's going to be going to press next month and will done by the end of April or the very beginning of May! I am lucky enough to be working with some amazing friends and family that are pitching in to pull this all together, between editing, designing, layout, etc, I have so much support right now that it's very humbling and I am incredibly grateful.

With all the new stuff coming up, this blog will be getting a beautiful face-lift, which will hopefully be debuting this week, so keep a look out. I'm excited to see what you think.

Okay, so now onto the food-related news! Remember several months ago, me talking about the slow death of our fridge and oven? Well, we held out as long as we could, but we had to finally break down and buy some new appliances. Wow, did we ever feel like grown-ups, it was surreal!


Our shiny new fridge! So big! I have a considerable amount of freezer space now. And it's an energy saver!


And our oven. I pouted a little about oven buying, because we have electric and I really prefer cooking with gas, so I was able to cheer myself up a bit by getting an oven with a warming drawer. It's really nifty! And the price was good. Viva vegan appliances!


Pea soup last week, with some EB smothered wheat rolls. I was able to whip it up, from dried peas to completely-obliterated-peas in 12 minutes with the pressure cooker.


A simple spaghetti with Nate's meatballs and brown rice noodles.


Yummy veggie wraps (well, veggie tacos, really, since we couldn't wrap them). Lettuce and spinach, tomatoes, pickles, avocados and dressing.



Brunch this morning- Cinnamon raisin French ("Fronch") toast with tempeh and white bean patties from VwaV and Kate's yummy hash browns (that she actually got to brown, unlike the sad potato piles I usually make). Jim and I agreed that maple syrup wouldn't be considered sugar if it is used in moderation and if he dips, rather than pours.


And on the side, some fruit salad, made up of apples, kiwi, pineapple, bananas, and a hint of lime juice. Served with the Macadamia Cream Sauce (which has a minor amount of sugar in it, but I figured that in having a tablespoon of the whole batch, it was excusable).


This really cool pilaf that I picked up at (where else?) Trader Joe's. It has little pasta balls, red quinoa, red lentils, multiple orzo pastas and baby garbanzo beans in it. Cooked up with just water and nothing else, it is delicious. Yum!


A simple potato, sweet potato, garbanzo, carrot, kale stew served over quinoa. I made a huge batch that made lunches for us for several days.

And for our other news...


Hazel! We adopted a hamster last weekend from this great rescue that is run by the nicest husband and wife. They rescue the "cheap" animals that most people overlook the fates of, like hamsters and beta fish. They recently took on two huge groups of hamsters, Syrian and Dwarf, and Jim and I came across them and decided we wanted to step in and help another hamster in need. Little Hazel is only 4 months old and she's full of spunk. On the first day she came to live with us, she crawled in Jim's sleeve and explored the inside of his shirt. The look of panic on his face while he sat there really still was priceless. She's very sweet and likes to be touched and interacted with, so we're having a fun time getting to know each other. I'm so grateful to that shelter for the work they are doing, helping out the little guys who are so easily overlooked.

That's it for now! The no-sugar campaign is going strong, with the minor amount we had in macadamia cream we had today. I'm not even really missing it, although I can't WAIT to bake in my new oven! But good things come to those who wait, right?

23 comments:

bazu said...

Congratulations on the cookbook, the appliances, and the hamster!

Last year, I gave up sugar for Lent too, and I lasted until the day before Easter! It was such a learning experience. One thing I've stuck with since then is unsweetened soymilk- why bother getting the one with evaporated cane syrup in it when unsweeteened tastes just as good? Good luck!

Shananigans said...

Nice looking new appliances, they are indeed very "grown up" purchases. How exciting about the book, can't wait to see how it comes out. How great that there are people who rescue hamsters! I had hamsters when I was a kid, I find them quite charming little individuals.

Anonymous said...

I had no idea that your cookbook was so far into development. That's great..I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Anonymous said...

i cant wait for the cookbook!
the appliances looks very cool!

MeloMeals said...

How exciting about your cookbook? How did you find a publisher? I will definitely buy one when it comes out!!

aTxVegn said...

Those are the coolest new appliances ever! And it's so exciting that your cookbook is really about to happen. If we can preorder, I'll get on the list for sure.

All your food is beautiful as usual, and the hamster is too cute!

Anonymous said...

How exciting about your cookbook! I will look forward to buying it when it comes out!

Courtney

Laura said...

Yay! I'm glad to see you're back. I always enjoy reading your posts.

Congrats on your exciting cookbook news!

I'm so jealous of your new appliances. I can't wait to have appliances that aren't almost as old as me.

Amey said...

Hoorah for Hazel!
She's a real cutie. We are suffering a similar fate, appliance wise - all at once our fridge, oven, and dishwasher are all dying. Well, the dishwasher is already dead. So - hopefully I'll be celebrating new appliances of my own soon!

congrats on the sugar restraint. Very impressive.

Also, I can't wait to see your book - very exciting!

Anonymous said...

One thing I discovered when shopping for a dishwasher recently is that there is a wide variation in energy use among energy star appliances. In the dishwashers it was 2 to 1. The thing to ask about is kilowatt hours per year, to save as many electrons as possible.

Brooke said...

I want your refrigerator.

Tracy said...

I'm staggeringly jealous over those appliances, and I wish I had some of that pilaf right now!

Emmy said...

That's so cool you're going to publish a cookbook. Looking forward to when it's out. Congrats on your new appliances...they look great :) I'll have to keep my eye out for that pilaf at TJ's. Awwww, Hazel is adorable!!!

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

You grown up, you! Awesome looking appliances.

laura k said...

Your cookbook, your fridge, your lovely new oven--how exciting! I can't wait to see the facelift! Oh, and I just love hamsters. Hazel is quite the cutie.

KleoPatra said...

i love your hamster. Oh SO cute!! They have such crazy personalities, and i mean that in a good way.

Way to "grow up" - and i also mean that in the best way...

Way to go on the cookbook. How awesome! You've got to be so excited!

Sheree' said...

I can't wait for your cookbook. It will be wonderful I am sure. I love everything. Your sweet potato stew look wonderful. I have 3 little sweet potatoes waiting to be used. Maybe I can make something like your stew with them. Love your new lil guy you resuced. He is so cute.

Teresa said...

I'm not sure if I've commented on your blog before (although I think I have), but I've been reading it for a while and love it. I had a question- I"m staying in Portland for a few days (in the NW area/alphabet district) and was wondering if you could suggest some healthy vegan friendly vegan restaurants. I love your city so far! Thanks for the help!

-Teresa

Kris said...

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm still holding on strong with the sugar thing... but it's getting much harder the more time passes!

Teresa, in NW, I would check out Blossoming Lotus, which is near Powell's. Also in St. John's area, which is in N. Portland, Proper Eats is a great place. And downtown you also have Veganopolis. You can get a much more thorough listing at nwveg.org, their site details more hot spots. Glad you're enjoying our grey but warmer weather!

Anonymous said...

I really like your blog, but lately it's 20 is there an update clicks before I see anything new... Is there some way to subscribe by email, so when there is something new it would just show up in my inbox? Thanks.

Olivia Lovejoy said...

Hazel is such a cutie. I had a hammy who looked just like her when I was growing up. I miss her so much!

Thanks for sending along a copy of your cookbook. I plan to review it soon on SuperVegan.

Vic Robinson said...

Etsy is great. Im glad to see you on it. Up the vegans!

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