Vegans for Kaleifornia.

Have you heard of the new hip veggie?  It's kale and you'll find its the queen of greens these days.  Lots of people have caught on to this, and have starting using it as their top green.  I will say that this cancer-fighting superfood is my favorite veggie, probably of all time.  It's super versatile and you can find it pretty much year around.  There's all kinds of different colors and I strongly suggest trying as many as you can get your hands on.

While I pretty much can find any reason to add kale to any of my recipes, raw kale chips I find the most addicting.  Packed with raw goodness, these chips will stand strong next to any greasy potato chip. You can find them pre-made in health food stores, but at around $7 a pop, You should just go and do it yourself.  They're pretty hassle-free and half the cost for the amount you get.

My favorite recipe comes from Happy Healthy Life blogger Kathy Patalski. She packs her kale chips with enough cheesiness and spice, you kind of forget that you are eating a veggie.  (You will also find some INCREDIBLE recipes on her site, I highly recommend staying a while to browse the goods.)

She gives you instructions for dehydrating and baking them on low temperatures.  If you have a dehydrator, go for that.  It leaves them crispier and more flavorful.  If you don't have a dehydrator, I still recommend trying them out in the oven.  Really, you won't be disappointed either way.

 See if these chips can even make it an hour in your house, because they sure can't in mine.

Love for Sur(e).

I had this dream the other night about Big Sur, which happens to be my most favorite place in all of history.  So, this dream was probably from a memory of my birthday two years ago, where we drove down and stopped at every sunny, scenic nook and cranny we could manage.  Getting more and more consumed by the winding roads, you will find yourself stopping at this quaint little lodge with a restaurant and gift shop attached.  Lucia Lodge has by far one of the most beautiful patios overlooking the ocean I have ever seen.

  They are famous for the fish and chips, and before I became a fully committed vegan,  I knew exactly why.   The fish had that flavor you expect and just enough grease to make you feel real deal without suffering a minor heart attack. I'm not sure which part made me fall in love with this place; the quirky older woman that usually greets us each time we're there, the deliciously crisp slabs of fish deep fried in goodness, or basking in sunshine while being mesmerized with the lush landscape...at this point, I have to ask myself...who really cares?

After my dream...I had to try and recreate a healthier, vegan version of the basket full of fish & chips.
I used this recipe, and wish I would've taken a picture.  They turned out really well.  The tofu turned out crisp and lovely, exactly what I was hoping for. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure if anything will ever replace the love I have for the ambiance of the Lucia Lodge.

Oh beautiful Big Sur, I hope to see you again soon.

Vegans need a-cleanin', too.

Hi.  I realize that you have probably given up on the search party.  I've been left for dead, somewhere out in the Mojave Desert, is my guess. To be honest with you, these past couple months I would've been all for someone kidnapping me for a nice rendezvous into the desert, minus the whole kidnapping part.

December kicked my ass.  I rephrase, the people of December kicked my ass.  Working retail during the holidays is never fun, but try doing it at a Coop.  People all have opinions, and here at the Coop, they are shared freely.  Even the mean, awful ones.  Without my co-workers, I'm not sure I could manage to laugh it off.

Then the new year came, and I thought to myself, "Hey New Year, I am going to embrace you with open arms. Let's hug it out."  The New Year didn't feel the same.   After working some crazy shifts, slicing my finger and gushing blood all over work,( NO stitches! Super Glue!) getting stuck with a tetanus shot, and a tree limb falling on my car costing me $1000 in damages... I got the hint.

I realized that some cosmic power didn't have it out for me, but that life happens and you need to roll with the punches or you get trampled on.

So, here's the good stuff.  I corked the wine for a while, enough to do a full cleanse and figure out if the Pinot and I will ever be as close.  To be honest,  I love a glass of wine with friends, but it was turning more into "I had a rough day, Pinot. You're my only friend."

The cleanse I am doing is an herbal blend from Renew Life, which is great paired with some yummy, nourishing foods.  I dusted off my juicer, and am doing this super invigorating green juice. This is my coffee these days, and it treats me so much better:

Super Green Juice

3 Kale Leaves, Destemmed

1 Carrot

1 Celery Stalk

1/4 Cup Parsley

1 Apple (Or any fruit you prefer)

and 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger

Other than lots of salads and soups on this cleanse, I'm also exploring the world of raw foods, and let me just tell you I feel like I have hit the jackpot.

I made these beautiful raw brownies, and I can't stop thinking about them.  When I am typing this, my mouth waters. I may just have to make some more today.

Instead of using walnuts, I used sesame seeds, because that's what I had on hand.  For the frosting, I also did 1/4 cup Coconut oil and 1/4 peanut butter for the PB monster I call my boyfriend.

I also am totally back in love with my fruit smoothies;

1 cup frozen fruit of your choice
1/2 Banana
1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
2 tbsp greens powder (I use HealthForce Vitamineral Greens)
2 Tbsp Ground Flax
1 tbsp almond butter (optional)

Blend all ingredients until smooth-tastic!

* You may have to add more milk if needed*

Now go cleanse, you dirty girl!