Vegan Tofu Scramble and Easy Vegan Cheesy Sauce

I love mornings when the kitchen is ALMOST bare, but not quite.  A grocery trip is clearly in our plan for the day, but breakfast is an opportunity to take some risks and experiment.  It's like I'm on Top Chef and Padma says "Chefs, your challenge is to create a tasty vegan breakfast from what's left in this kitchen.  And your time starts... now!"

Breakfast this morning was one of those challenges.  I fell back on a basic recipe that can be a blank slate for multiple ingredients in multiple seasons:  The tofu scramble.  

Let me get one thing straight:  A tofu scramble with onions and peppers is fine, but it's boring.  Whenever I'm out for breakfast and a tofu scramble is on the menu I get all excited, and then I'm always let down by the same old boring scramble.  If every omelet was cheese and mushroom, people would get bored!  Why does every tofu scramble have to be the same??

That being said, I LOVE the opportunity this dish presents for new and exciting flavor combinations.  I have made tofu scrambles MULTIPLE times and I have a few favorites.  For now, I'll explain the details of this basic yummy dish.

Here is what I used today...

I normally would like more green veggies in there, but we were fresh out!

Here is the basic blueprint for a tofu scramble:

Ingredients

-1 package of extra firm tofu

-cooking spray or oil to coat the pan

-seasonings, veggies, and fresh herbs

1.  Spray a hot pan with cooking spray, or a little oil.  

2.  Add firmest ingredients first (onions, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, etc).  Cook until they're softened to your liking, then remove from pan.

3.  Add the tofu to pan with dry seasonings (salt, pepper, ground things, etc).  Let it get browned on all sides.  

4.  Add softest veggies (leafy greens, fresh herbs, tomatoes, etc).  Let everything get wilted and cooked to your liking.  

5.  Add everything back into the pan to combine and heat through.  Then it's ready to serve!  

Yum!  This morning I served mine with Ezekiel Sesame Toast and Soy-Free Earth Balance Spread... oh, and my easy cheesy vegan sauce.  (Recipe below)

Some of my favorite tofu scramble combinations are:

-Peppers, onions, and cheesy sauce

-Onion, garlic, and fresh parsley

-Spinach, tomatoes, and cheesy sauce

And my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE:

-Jalepenos, sweet onion, tomato, and fresh basil - YUM!

And now for another go-to recipe...

Easy Vegan Cheesy Sauce:

(Use on pasta, scrambles, anything that is better cheesy!)

Ingredients:

-Nutritional Yeast (2-4 tbsp, depending on how much you want)

-Almond Milk (1-2 tbsp)

-Sea Salt

-Garlic Powder (optional)

-Fresh ground black pepper (optional)

1.  Add the nutritional yeast to a small bowl.  Mix in the almond milk until its a creamy consistency (not too watery, but not clumpy)

Much too clumpy

Still a little too clumpy

MMM... Just right!

2. Add in your seasonings to taste.  

3.  If you want it hot, pop it in the microwave for about 15 seconds.  Make sure it doesn't burn or bubble too much!  

4.  Add to your favorite cheesy dishes!

Vegan BLT with Bruschetta Bean Spread

A stormy day in Atlanta = lots of kitchen experiments here at FTMS!

We were heating up some leftover Creamy Cauliflower Soup for lunch, and my hubs was making a little sandwich to go with.  I decided I was also in the mood for a sandwich, so starting getting creative... And came up with this yummy BLT concoction.

A BLT was always one of my favorite indulgences in my non-veg years, but the thought of switching out tempeh "fakin bacon" just didn't really make me drool.  However... this sammy is definitely drool-worthy thanks to my Bruschetta Bean Spread.

Here's how I made it:

Vegan Bruschetta Bean Spread:

-1 cup prepared dry cannelloni beans (soak overnight, bring to a boil in a small pot with water, reduce to simmer and cook 1 hour, then drain) OR canned (but be mindful of the salt)

-2 tbsp. GOOD olive oil (Read about Olive Oil on NPR)

-1 tsp good balsamic vinegar

-4-5 ripe cherry tomatoes 

-basil (I only had dry basil, but fresh would be best) - as much as you like

-garlic powder, salt, and fresh ground pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.  Best served cold with crackers, or spread on sandwiches.

Vegan BLT with Bruschetta Bean Spread

Ingredients

-3 pieces tempeh "fakin bacon" - prepared as directed on package 

-organic mixed baby greens

-Bruschetta Bean Spread

-toasted good bread (I used Ezekiel Sprouted Sesame Seed Bread)

Assemble and enjoy!!

Served with La Croix sparkling water and Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Soup!  

Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Soup

Yesterday I was all like "I'm going to write a blog post about how discouraged I'm feeling this week."

Then I came home, got in the kitchen, and changed my mind.  (Who wants to read that crap anyway?)

Bad days/weeks/months/years are normal.  It's life.  It happens.  But it's okay.  Life goes on.  And times like these give us the best opportunity to focus, adjust, and DECIDE to be great.

So here I am.  And I made a freaking GREAT soup.

 (Excuse the quality of this iPhone photo... I was being lazy.)

This soup evolved from veggies I bought with the intention to cook all week long, but never did.

Here's what I used:

-1 tbsp olive oil
-3-4 cloves of garlic (doesn't need to be minced, but cut it up a little)
-1/2 large red onion chopped
-1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped
-About 1/2 head cauliflower (cut into pieces)
-2 large zucchini squash chunked

-2 veggie bouillon cubes (crumbled)

-1 1/2 tsp Bell's salt-free onion and herb seasoning 

-1/2 tsp coriander

-kosher sea salt (to taste)

-1 package soft tofu

Here's what I did:

1.  Large stock pot.  Oil, onion, garlic.  Boom.  Let that stuff get translucent. (8-10 mins on high-ish heat)

2.  Add the rest of the chopped veggies & potatoes, cook for a minute or two. (stir so the taters don't get stuck)

3.  Add all the seasonings and bouillon cubes.  Add water (don't totally submerge all the veggies, leave like 1/2-1 inch sticking out).  Bring to a boil.

4.  Reduce to simmer, cover, cook for like 30-40 minutes.  Make sure everything is mushy.

5.  Add the soft tofu.  Cook another 4-5 minutes (so the tofu is heated through).

6.  In a food processor, puree the cooked veggies & tofu in batches (unless you have a GIANT food processor that can do it all at once, but I don't think that exists).

7.  Return to pot, continue to simmer for an hour or so until you're ready to serve.  (FYI - I topped mine with a pinch of dry oregano.. yum!)

It's like creamy cheesy cauliflower soup, without any cream or cheese!  Definitely FTMS!

PS.  If you're feeling frisky you could top this with some vegan cheddar cheese or nutritional yeast.

Enjoy!!

ASK Wendy: How are you vegan in a non-vegan world?

I got this e-mail from a high school friend, and I am very excited to respond to it!  She wrote:

"I was just wondering, when you decided to go Vegan (or make any major diet change), how did you cope with what other people around you were doing?  Are you still able to go out to dinner?  Or what about having dinner at a friend's house or going to a wedding? Are you still able to eat in those settings?  And what about Greg [my husband]?  Will he eat the Vegan things you make, or does he kind of do his own thing with food?

It sounds like going Vegan has been a really positive change for you, and could be something I'd be willing to try, but eating is such a social activity--I think that would be the hardest part!"

YES!  I love this question!  

Without a doubt, the two most difficult things about being vegan are:

1.  Saying no.

2.  Going hungry.

These things are ESPECIALLY difficult for me because:

1.  I hate saying no.

2.  Being hungry turns me into a horrible monster.  

Here are some tips to help ease your worries about being vegan in a non-vegan world...  

"How did you cope with what other people around you were doing?" 

COPING TIP 1.  SCREW PEER PRESSURE.  

Peer pressure sucks.  Here's an example: You're at a friend's party with a bunch of people and food.  Friend A is on a diet.  Friend B says "C'mon you HAVE TO TRY THESE ____ (insert something the Person A shouldn't eat)."  Person A feels bad, left-out, hungry from dieting... they give in.  Diet fails.  Person A falls into a self-hating spiral of shame.  Person B has no idea that their sweet gesture of trying to share a delicious delicacy had this effect.  It's not much different being vegan...  You're not on a "diet" but the situation is the same.  Most people will quickly learn that you're not trying to be rude or difficult by turning down food and they'll stop bugging you.  Some people will even realize how amazing you look and feel after a few weeks, and they'll think "wow, she turned down the egg & dairy filled cupcake and she's happier than ever... maybe I should turn down the non-veg cupcake and eat some fruit instead."  So don't let other people get to you.  Stand up for yourself and what you want to do.  You'll feel better, and your friends/family will admire, appreciate, and emulate your self-control.

COPING TIP 2.  DON'T PREACH.

Food is like religion.  You've decided to eat in a way that you feel is the best for yourself.  Just because you have changed doesn't mean everyone around you has changed.  Don't preach.  If people have questions, answer them.  But don't come down hard on someone who orders a steak while you're out to dinner.  And along with this... don't EVER talk about being vegan over a meal that's not vegan.  Usually that's when people start to ask questions, but this is not the time to talk about it.  You don't want to make anyone feel about about what they've ordered at dinner.  Just say something like "I'd love to chat about that but I'm not sure this is the best time."  If people really want to know... they'll follow up with you.  

"Are you still able to go out to dinner?  Or what about having dinner at a friend's house or going to a wedding?"

Yes!!!  You can do all of these things!  I've successfully done all three for about 10 months... it's totally possible. Here's what I usually do when we're going to eat out:

PICK THE PLACE.

If you're making dinner plans with someone, pick a place you know will have something that's vegan.  Say something like "I've been really wanting to try ____" or "I think you'll love ____."  Ethnic restaurants are great to try with friends, and they usually have plenty of super yummy veg food. 

  

LOOK ONLINE/CALL AHEAD

So your friends made plans and picked a place without your input...  That's fine!  The internet is a great resource! Look at the menu online and see if there's something vegan you can eat, or call the restaurant and explain that you're vegan.  I've only had a restaurant say they couldn't accommodate me once.  If that happens...

EAT BEFORE

You don't want to be hungry and grumpy all dinner... you'll be setting yourself up for vegan failure.  You also don't want to be left with bowl of iceberg lettuce, shredded carrots, and olive oil... That's not FTMS.  Eat a yummy dinner before you go, and sip on a cocktail while your buddies are eating.  You'll be saving money AND you won't be a hungry grump all night.  This is also what I do for weddings or catered events, then I look for something vegan when I'm there.  (The waitstaff will let you know what's in the dishes.)  Plus, it's rare that people are like "OMG THAT WEDDING CHICKEN/VEGGIE LASAGNA WAS TO DIE FOR."  You're not missing much.  ;-)

BRING A DISH

Going to a friend's for dinner?  Ask what you can bring to enhance the menu!  Then grab your favorite vegan cookbook and get to work!  Dazzle your friends and family with delicious vegan dishes!  (Or just bring some veggies and hummus... a good go-to!)

"And what about Greg (my husband)?  Will he eat the Vegan things you make, or does he kind of do his own thing with food?"

My husband is amazingly supportive with everything I do... I am very lucky to have him!!  He'll eat whatever vegan concoction I come up with, but he's not 100% vegan.  (Loosely, his rule is no more than one serving of meat a day.  He also uses all of my vegan dairy substitutes.)  He still gets lunchmeat at the grocery store, grabs Chick-fil-A for lunch on Fridays, and will make an occasional Lean Pocket or frozen pizza.  He's not much of a chef so he won't cook a steak, but when we go out he'll take that opportunity to eat an animal protein.  I have no desire "make him vegan" but he knows the benefits of a vegan diet, and respects my eating habits.  

An important thing to remember:  

Food is the center of things because we make it the center of things.  

You will survive if you skip the cheese at a wine tasting.  You will feel fulfilled if you eat oatmeal and fruit at brunch instead of an omelet.  Focus on enjoying the company of those you love, not the foods that you love.  Vegan or not, this is important for everyone to remember!!  

FTMS Restaurant Review: R. Thomas Deluxe Grille

Do you want your brains to be blown by an amazing plate of food?  

(R.'s Raw Veggie Dinner #1)

Yeah, I thought so.

This post is dedicated to one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta.  R. Thomas Deluxe Grille is exactly the kind of restaurant you'd imagine a vegan visiting.  This hippie oasis is filled with funky murals, psychedelic lights, wind chimes, gardens galore, and live exotic rescued birds.  Peace, love, and happiness.  Radical.

Since discovering R. Thomas this summer I've been back at least 10 times.  Every recent Atlanta visitor has been taken there, and I've tried to convince all of my friends to go with me at some point.

The most amazing thing about R. Thomas is that it's NOT JUST VEGAN.  They have delicious dishes that everyone can enjoy!  Some of their yummiest menu items are vegan, and I'm sure people order them without realizing... very sneaky Mr. R.  ;-)

What I love about R. Thomas is their focus on quality ingredients.  Yes, you can get super cheap cheese eggs at Waffle House for, like, 2 bucks... but do you know how many antibiotics those hens were fed while they were over-producing eggs?  Or the cow who over-produced the milk to make that cheese??  Probably not...  So, you'll pay a little more at R. Thomas, but you can be confident that you ingredients are the highest quality.

I wish I had a picture of every dish I've eaten, but I get so excited when I go there I forget... Some of my favorites are:

• Raw Cashew Cheese (O.M.G.)
• Flax Chips (they're home-made and raw!!) with Guacamole
• R's Hearty Breakfast Stew
• Sloppy Veggie Joe
• R's House-made Veggie Burger
• The Southern Vegetarian

• Any side dish - YUM. (some sides pictured above)
• Big Bang Juice - served hot and sooo delicious!!!

My husband's top two dishes at R. Thomas are the Magic Stuffed Baked Potato and the Magic Quesadilla (whatever that magic is, he likes it).

Oh, and let's not forget the desserts.  They ALWAYS have a vegan cake special.  I've definitely had my share...

R. Thomas for my birthday back in August - YES BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Even celebs check out this hot spot!  When we went for brunch after the Atlanta 13.1 Half Marathon we saw Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson!

Notice me creeping in the background...

One last awesome thing about R. Thomas (yeah, it gets more awesome)... they're open 24/7!!!  So whether you want a yummy brunch, lunch, a healthy dinner, or a midnight snack R. Thomas is ready with delicious FTMS!

I'll leave you with one more pic to drool over...

What's your favorite veg/vegan/healthy restaurant???

Tasty Vegan Tacos

When you're eating vegan it's important to look beyond typical American cuisine so you don't get bored with veggie burgers, veggie dogs, fries, and salads.  I love to try new ethnic foods and flavors, it's become a big hobby of mine!  (An affordable hobby thanks to Scoutmob!)  But, sometimes I just want to make something yummy and delicious that reminds me of a hearty American childhood favorite... Enter: Tasty Vegan Tacos!

You won't need a fourth meal after this hearty dinner.  ;-)

This recipe was sort of an experiment with what I had on hand in the summertime, and we loved it so much I figure that means it's a winner and it's ready to share.  (The hubs asks for this one all the time!)

Start with some yellow squash & zucchini squash (1 or 2 of each), and an onion.  Sauté them in a little oil to cook them down until they're soft.  Add in some tomatoes (fresh or canned and drained will work), black beans (canned or cooked from dry), and a mixture of chili powder (or taco seasoning), cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper to your taste (You could also add some coriander or cilantro).  This will be the "meat" of your taco, so play around with the flavors & ingredients until it tastes the way you like it!  I'm not really a "measurer" so trust me when I say just play with it!  

Here's what it looked like in the pan while it was cooking.  

Nothing in this "meat" will make you sick if it's undercooked, so just warm everything through to your liking.  (I like the squash to be pretty mushy, so I cook them pretty well before I add in the other stuff.)  Toast up some of your favorite taco shells or soft tacos while the taco "meat" mixture cooks.  

Much prettier than your typical taco filling.  

I topped these tasty tacos with crunchy green onions and Daiya cheddar cheese 

(that's what I had in the fridge).

You could also add salsa, Tofutti sour cream, rice, avocado, or something else cool that I haven't thought of!!  This recipe is a GUIDE!  Feel free to be creative!  

Are there any childhood favorites you want to make vegan??  

Successful Procrastination: TRI-ing new things

While training for the Savannah Rock N Roll Marathon last year, I re-discovered something about myself:

Nothing will motivate me like a deadline.  

I've always known this.  I am the epitome of procrastination.  I don't even write the paper the night before it's due... I wake up an hour before class to write it.  That's just who I am.  Yes, it can bite me in the butt if I miss my alarm, but some of the most creative and thoughtful thinking I do comes during those crucial final ticks of the clock.  (For a good laugh, read more about procrastination on Hyperbole and a Half.  It's like she's inside my brain.)

I realized that deadlines define me in every way.  If I'm not careful, I can allow this trait to define me in a negative way: lazy, unmotivated, lacking passion, stressed out, anxious.

I refuse to let that define me.

I realized that there is one way this "negative" character trait can propel me into the person I want to be:

Turn deadlines into races.

Come up with crazy training schedules that (even with some procrastinating) need to be accomplished in order to get the race done.  Without knowing it, this character trait was responsible for my crossing the finish line.

So here we are.  January 2012.  I've done what NO ONE thought I could do thanks to a race deadline.  What's next?

Set a new deadline?  Pick a new race?  Done.

Though I know this is a stretch... my new fitness goal for 2012 is:

Finish a half-Ironman.  In June.  of 2012.  Yes, I know thats - like - 6 months from now.  

Against all logic, I've decided to not only finish a half-Ironman this year, but I'm going to do it in June (for personal reasons, I don't want to wait for the fall races).  Hey, if those Biggest Loser people can go from morbidly obese to marathon in 6 months, I can totally go from marathoner to half-ironman in 6 months right??

If you didn't know, a half Ironman race is: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (70.3 miles total).

So that leaves me less than 6 months to do the following:
1. Train almost every day.
2. Build mega swimming endurance (I only learned how to swim 4 months ago).
3. Overcome my fear of an open-water swim.
4. Learn how to ride a bike, buy a bike, and build mega cycling endurance.
5. Prevent injury. (This is my biggest worry.)
6. Stay vegan the whole time.
7. Balance all of this with my career, family, and social life.

Why am I confident that this will work?  Because it's a deadline.  It HAS to get done.  And that's just the way I function.

Any other procrastinators out there?  Has anyone turned their deadlines into goals?

Updated: My Kitchen

Check out the updated My Kitchen section to see the answer to a question I'm asked almost daily:

"So, what CAN you eat??"