Vegan Challenge: Vegan Snacks POPCORN!

I love me some popcorn.

I'm not a big fan of popcorn from a bag. And unless you love those transfats, I'd suggest buying popcorn kernels and popping them yourself.  It takes just a few minutes, and it's far tastier than the microwaved bag.  Heat a little oil in a pan, throw in some kernels, cover, and keep movin' 'em around until they're all popped.  Since I am human after all... I do like some butter.  When the kernels have popped ( I use the bag instructions: wait until poppings occur every 3 - 4 seconds)  I transfer everything to a bowl, put a little butter in the pan, wait until it melts, then put the popcorn back in the pan.  This ensures even butter distribution, which, as we all know, is essential.

I usually toss a little spice on my popcorn.  I just tried out Cajun seasoning blend, which is probably my favourite so far.

Here's a recipe for Excellent Homemade Cajun Seasoning from Canadian Home Living:

Cajun Seasoning: Ingredients

1/4 cup paprika 1/4 1/4cup cup(50 mL) (50 mL) paprika
1/4 cup dried parsley 1/4 1/4cup cup(50 mL) (50 mL) dried parsley
2 tbsp garlic powder 2 2tbsp tbsp(25 mL) (25 mL) garlic powder
2 tbsp dried oregano 2 2tbsp tbsp(25 mL) (25 mL) dried oregano
2 tbsp dried thyme 2 2tbsp tbsp(25 mL) (25 mL) dried thyme
1 tsp salt 1 1tsp tsp(5 mL) (5 mL) salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 1/2tsp tsp(2 mL) (2 mL) cayenne pepper

Toss all the ingredients together, and sprinkle on your popcorn.

I suggest you also try on your popcorn: Cumin; Curry; Paprika and Chili Flakes.  All excellent! 

Vegan Challenge: Weekend 1 - Guilty Milk and Egg-based Pleasures

Want to know what I did this weekend?

Confession time:

I came home from the bar on Saturday night and had a piece of toast. NON-VEGAN toast. It did have vegan breakfast patty's on it though. And ketchup... and ranch dressing (also non-vegan). It sounds more gross than it tasted.

I had a family dinner on Sunday and was able to refrain from eating the roast beef. I went through much trouble to make my own special vegan mashed potatoes and falafels in place of the roast beast. When it came time to eat, I did however, proceed to cover my entire plate in gravy. Bad vegan!

And then I had a cookie.

Ok, so clearly weekends are hard. Really, really hard.

But I did have to pick up 3 Subway sandwiches for my brother and dad (who are currently renovating my basement) and I made it out with only a salad.  Which is impressive, because Subway is one of my favourite things in the world. 

What did we learn?

 (That I love gravy? and cookies?)

Plan ahead (meticulously) when going out for a meal. I thought I had my whole vegan alternative meal planned out, but I forgot about two very important additions: sauce and desert. If your will-power is as bad as mine, careful planning is your best ally.

Vegan Challenge: Veganism and World Hunger

Photo taken during my 2009 trip to Cambodia

Friday Thoughts: The World Food Crisis

By now, most people are aware that there is a global food security crisis.  After a 2-year period of decline in food prices following the 2007-2008 spike, food prices are once again on the rise.  As usual, it is the poor who are feeling the worst effects of the rising food prices, and it is the poor in the poorest countries who are being hit the hardest. What I want to know is, can eating vegan reduce world hunger?

While the food crisis can't be attributed to a single cause (analysts have called it a "perfect storm" of factors) there is one factor I feel I can have a direct - albiet small - affect on, and that is by eating less meat. 

Vegan Challenge: Almond Milk and Kale Chips

Day 4 Menu:

Breakfast:  Kashi Cereal with the world's best homemade Almond Milk (see recipe below)

Lunch: Leftover Quiche :(

Snack: Kale Chips

Dinner: Black Bean Burgers

I've made almond milk before and it's always been a bit watery and bland.  Just a bit "blah" overall. 

This one, on the other hand, is awesome! Nice and thick and delicious.  Go here for the recipe! 

Almond milk is about 1/4 of the price when you make it at home rather than buy it at the grocery store.

I'm a big tea drinker in the mornings, and unfortunately for almond milk, it just does not taste the same when substituted for milk in tea.  Nor does soy.  Bummer.