Sunday, May 30, 2010

Busy Busy

This quarter is just about done. Until somewhat regular posting can resume, here are some still life shots for my photography class.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Deep Breath!

So I've finished my challenge. I'm finding that it's really flippin' hard to commit myself to something like this AND do crazy school and work hours AND attempt to be healthier.

But no worries, dear readers.

I managed to squeeze in two recipes from the Vegetarian Times cookbook last week....for the same meal....on a Sunday. Hey, it works, right?

#1 & #2 - Pesto Mashed Potatoes & Sesame Broccoli
Wow, this is a sort of lovely picture!

The potatoes basically soaked up the broccoli's juices. It was tasty, but something was missing from both. There's an espresso cake in the Veg Times book that I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to make, so I'll be making my third recipe....in the future.

This week, I also made my challenge recipes from the Almost No Fat Cookbook for the same meal. I had a long, luxurious time in the kitchen, and I'm happy to say that it was time well spent. Well, except for the third recipe. The first two were delicious and used up sooooo many veggies I had laying around!

#1 - Enchilada Casserole


#2 - Spanish Rice (drowned in salsa)


#3 - (not pictured) tofu sour cream. I don't know what happened here. I think the tofu I bought THAT DAY was bad, cause this was awful. I've made variations of tofu sour cream before, so I know this wasn't supposed to taste rotten!

I have about 2 more weeks of school and then I can breathe and ready myself for the big kid's school. I've got Isa's East Coast Coffee Cake in the oven, variation chocolate chip + strawberries. It smells insane.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Inconsistency.

Sometimes I like to start things with the very best intentions.

Most of the time I falter from the task at hand, feel guilty and then quit entirely.

That's kind of what happened with the cookbook challenge, and always what happens when I try to improve my diet. Honestly, I'm surprised I've stuck with veganism so long. But then again, I stuck with a vegetarian diet for what, 6 years? I love how I eat now.

I'm making 2 recipes from the Vegetarian Times cookbook for lunch today, on the last day, sticking with the challenge in the best way I can.

And starting today, every damn meal will be healthy and in moderation. No more going back for more cereal, no more pasta as the main dish, no more Coconut Bliss as lunch. And I'm quitting alcohol, at least until I can feel I can go a day without having a blasted beer. Jeff has me hooked on yerba mate and it's almost sun-tea season.

But for now, I present some photos I turned in for the the "portrait" assignment in my photo class.
She's such a good model.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Veggies Veggies Veggies

The past two weeks have been a little crazy in our little household. Midterms, speeches and rent have all been due and you know I, the great procrastinator, dutifully put it all off until the last minute.

The challenge was adhered to last week, but not in the order I was supposed to do. And this week? Pssh, nothing. I stick to nobody's rules, not even my own.

Instead of making 3 recipes out of my Weight Watchers book, I made one and then made three other recipes out of The Reader's Digest Vegetarian Cookbook. Let's delve into a couple pictures, shall we?

That's right, I only have two.


#1 - Zesty Chickpeas & Shells


From the Weight Watchers book. I thought it was pretty good, Jeff didn't like the whole chickpeas in it. I may have also thrown in some tempeh that I NEEDED to use up, so there was a double dose of protein in that dinner!

#2 & #3 - Curried Lentil & Vegetable Pilaf with Hot Cajun Wedges

The pilaf is made with coconut milk, so it was incredibly rich and creamy. And SO MANY VEGETABLES!!!! It made a ton of food, so leftovers last week were pretty amazing. The cajun wedges got thrown in there to use up some potatoes and were also delicious. Then again, potatoes are an almost daily occurence here....

Next week I'll be on track with the Vegetarian Times Cookbook. I'm planning on making more than 3 recipes since the book is incredibly large.

Have I mentioned that I got into Portland State for fall term? Uber excited.