On the mend....

 After my father's diagnosis of colon cancer, things moved very quickly. I flew down. His surgery was scheduled, test were run- all within a matter of days. I am happy to announce that the surgery was a complete success. There was not as much cancer as they originally thought. All good news. He is well on his way to a full recovery!

10 minute-Creamy Vodka Pasta Sauce

So easy, so good.

1 can of navy beans
1 can of seasoned organic tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2-1 teaspoon basil
1/4 cup vodka or a little more if you like the flavor
1/3 cup cold pressed olive oil
pepper to taste
Garnish with chopped arugula and basil

Put all ingredients in blender or food processor.  Heat sauce pan to med heat, add sauce and heat through.

THAT'S IT!!!

How easy was that?

Photo Courtesy

Nacho "Cheeze" Dip

photo courtesy

Our new favorite for "appie" night! Just serve with warm tortilla chips (and a margarita)(or 2 margaritas, whateva).

2 tbsp Earth Balance Butter

2 tbsp brown rice flour (or any bland flour you have at home)

1 1/3 cup UNSWEETENED non-dairy milk ( I like Almond Milk)

2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast

1/2 tsp mustard

1/3 tsp paprika

salt and pepper

1/2 cup of Daiya cheese (cheddar style)

3 tbsp cilantro, chopped

2 green onions

1 tomato, chopped

1 small avocado, chopped

In a medium sauce pan melt butter at a medium heat, add flour and let flour cook with butter for 1-2 minutes. Whisk in milk. Add nutritional yeast, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk in Daiya cheese. Melt well. Remove from heat. In a serving bowl add cilantro, onions, tomato, and cheese sauce. Blend using large tablespoon. Sprinkle avocado before serving. 

I did not take a picture.. but trust me, it was beautiful and delicious. 

Great Vegan Breakfast for Meat Eaters

I made this for breakfast today, and it is a great breakfast to offer meat eaters. Its quick, delicious, nutritious and full of veggies! I should add that the tofu is very palatable for all of those that don't like it. #myhusband

Tofu Scramble

2  green onions, chopped 
5-6 mushrooms, chopped2 sweet bell peppers,  chopped
1 small package of Firm Organic Tofu
1 organic tomato chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin


1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup Daiya Cheese ( mozzarella style)


4-5 whole wheat tortillas


Sautee mushrooms and green onions in the olive oil for about 1 minute on medium high heat.  Add peppers and tomatoes. Add seasonings.  In a separate bowl mush up tofu (drained) and then add to pan. Mix well and keep on low heat.  Add Daiya cheese, and cover. 


Fill tortillas like a burrito with the tofu scramble. 


You can also spread refried vegan beans and salsa on tortillas prior to stuffing. I added a bit of hash browns. 

The C Word

The Daddy

For the first time in my family's life, we heard the C word. To the surprise of all us my dad was diagnosed with early stage colon cancer. I FREAKED OUT. This is my daddy, this can't be happening to my daddy. I instantly felt like a little girl, not ready to face what was happening.

First of all, we are optimistic. We caught it early, like really early. This is the reason why I felt it was important to share this very personal moment, in the hopes that daughters everywhere will panic, as I have, and force their parents to have colonoscopies, the other C word.

My father called me about a month ago. He complained of loose bowel for two weeks. After watching Dr. Oz and the silent killer episode, I immediately urged my dad to to the Dr and request a colonoscopy. My father felt my request was extreme, but did it anyway. He complained that the prep work for the procedure was uncomfortable and that by now he had no more loose bowels. But I was grateful he went. He went in last week and received his results this week. No symptoms other than the two week episode. Treatment for my dad requires surgery, but as of now no chemo, no radiation.

Lesson learned. I hope to pass this lesson on to you and urge those around you to have the dreaded,  uncomfortable colonoscopy.

I will be travelling to be with my dad, and of course, change his diet. Colorectal cancers can be prevented by eating a diet low in animal fats and high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, according the American Cancer Society. I also now that a diet with NO animal fats can help even more. I am brushing up on macrobiotic diets and heading off to sunny South Florida to help my dad. But mostly I just want to hug him and will be forever grateful that he didn't tune out my nagging.

I should add that after watching that episode I forced my mom to have one too. So grateful she went as well. They did find some polyps that needed to be removed, but she is fine. Like my mother says "yo nevah know".

Ran-To-The-Oven-To-Bake Cake

First thing to unpack in new house is the kitchen, of course. Bakeware, of course. I had to bake, I needed warm sinfulness to get me through the rest of the day.

Easy-Peasy Pumpkin Cake

Preheat oven to 350°

One package organic vanilla cake mix (vegan of course)
1 can 100% pumpkin

Mix.

Bake.

OMG! THAT WAS SO EASY!!

I baked at 350° for about 35-40 minutes in a glass pan. It was the most moist cake I have had in a long time.

These recipe can be easily altered. Just add some cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe some extra vanilla.

Thought I'd Come Back to Blog

I am a little hermit crab among changes and stress. I shut down. I can't share one word. My mom jokes that she knows I am stressed out when I don't take phone calls, or make any for that matter. It is I, complex housewife.

Over the last few months, my husband changed jobs, my youngest was officially diagnosed with a behavior disorder, and we moved to a new city. I closed up, completely. Things are starting to finally settle and I decided I miss this venue, so I am back. I do greatly apologize for my flakiness. I will try to not do that again.

First things first.... my new city.

Winnipeg! Where the bear got his name, come on! Winnipeg! I am exploring this new city. It has some really interesting pockets, its incredibly urban for a small city (POP est 750,000). Great news is that for such a small city there are many vegan restaurants. Found a few that we are in love with.

Yes, we are all still vegan. The biggest challenged we faced was traveling as vegans. I stayed in a hotel for 4 weeks until our home was ready. THAT.WAS.TOUGH. But I learned a lot, and was surprised what I could do a with a minibar, a microwave, and a blender. I'll save that for another time.

Our home is coming together and I am loving redecorating again. Pictures to come. Our moving company broke my camera...sigh. Will post pictures soon!
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Thank you all that come back, and thanks to those who are new on this journey!