Dining Locally: Duino! (Duende)

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This past weekend the Hubz and I decided to have an afternoon date at Dunio! (Duende) in downtown Burlington, VT. This small restaurant is part of Radio Bean a local cafe known for it’s weekly musical performances and off beat atmosphere. Since Duino! (Duende) is off the main street in downtown Burlington we always forget about it but after our revisit this past weekend I think we will be frequenting it more often.

The theme behind the menu at Dunio! (Duende) is unique and different from other restaurants in the area since its focus is on international street food.  The menu is small but provides enough inexpensive vegan friendly dishes that you won’t be disappointed.  They also have an extensive drink menu with wines, beers and specialty drinks as well.

I started with a Manhattan

And the Hubz had a Five Dollar Shake: Stout, espresso, and maple syrup

For my meal the Hubz and I shared the soup of the day which was a creamy squash soup with thai spices it was really yummy and came with grilled bread.

And we shared the Mujadara: Lentils & rice cooked with onions served in a pita with tahini, hot sauce, lettuce & tomato & tabouleh salad- this was really tasty!

Overall we really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere, delicious (inexpensive) food and we will be back again soon.

Ratings:
Value: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Vegan Friendly: 3/5
Atmosphere: 4/5

Resolutions for 2011

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This year is all about setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals aka Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Tangible Goals. Last night the Hubz and I kept it pretty low key with homemade tempura veggies, martinis and too many episodes of House Hunters.  We also took a minute to sit down and work on our goals for the new year.
I wasn’t quite as successful last regarding my goals- you can checkout how everything went here.
I know that this year I am setting goals that I can complete and look forward to the adventure.

    1. Attend a blogger conference – this might be a slight cheater one but I will be attending Vida Vegan Blog Conference .  After a long discussion with the Hubz we finally decided that we would make the trip to PDX for the conference and we are looking forward to it.


    2. Do an overnight backpacking trip on the Long Trail- this is one of the goals the Hubz and I have together.  He has developed a new found love for hiking and I am warming up to it as well.  I have decided that this year I want to try new things and challenge myself and an overnight backpacking trip will definitely be a challenge worth doing.
    3. Run a 5k- As you will see this is one of my goals from last year that I totally failed on.  I decided that I am still wanting to challenge myself athletically and put this back on my list to give myself a second chance.
    4. Blog with a purpose- I have decided that I really need to take more time with my blogging and write high quality blog posts.  I do not want to pressure myself to write everyday but write when I want to and only submit post that I am proud of.
    5. Embrace Health Counseling- I will receive my health counseling certification in April.  I currently am able to counsel but I only have a limited number of clients.  This year I would like to increase my clients, work on marketing my business and teach a health/nutrition related course at a local  gym, co-op or health food shop.

    Other things I want to do in 2011:

    • Create a “grown up” bedroom – one that has a bedroom set, a style, and is a place that the Hubz and I can retreat to; a space of our own.
    • Revamp my blog- make improvements to the layout as well as the features.
    • Update my health counseling blog….rather have the Hubz do it.
    • Get to my happy weight by trying new activities such as P90X, hiking, running and yoga.
    • Spend more time reading. Do you have any book recommendations?
    • Spend more quality time with the Hubz- make a conscious effort to have 1 date night a week.

    What are your goals for 2011?

      Reflecting on 2010

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      This time last year I sat down and made a list of 5 things that I really wanted to accomplish in 2010.

      1. Eat more raw foods

      I feel like I did increase my raw food intake however not as much as I had originally imagined.  I love to be in the kitchen and I find that cooking is a way for me to relax and be creative.   I would like to become more creative in the raw foods world- step out of my comfort zone and work on more raw recipes this summer.

      2. Lose some weight

      Hiking Long Trail 2010

      I don’t keep track of my exact weight so much nowadays but I know that my clothes feel better and that I am getting closer to a weight that I am comfortable with.  I currently started the P90X to jump start my year and get me ready for some intense backpacking this summer with the Hubz.
      3. To run a 5K

      Well this did not happen. I started the C25K and it was going really well and then I just stopped. I don’t really know why but I know this one one goal that I had for 2010 and will probably end up on my 2011 list as well.
      4. Blog more

      I have blogged more and not only that I blog with more of a purpose.  I feel that 80% of the time I blog with a purpose and that is at least a 25% improvement since last year which it a success! However there is always room for improvement and I will keep improving my blog. I even wrote my first e-book and I am starting on my second one!
      5. Find a job that makes me happy x2

      No I am not a fire fighter- I just work for them!

      Not only did I find a job in March 2010 that I absolutely love I started a program through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a holistic health counselor. I now not only have 2 jobs that I love plus write a blog I love, I am a housewife to boot!

      Over the last 12 months I have left my awful job, found a new job I love, started a health counseling program, became pregnant, moved, had a miscarriage, healed, became more dedicated to my blog and became a happier, healthier person. Stay tuned for my goals for 2011.

      Do you set yearly goals for yourself? Do you find that this works for you?

      Oats In A Jar, Oats In A Jar, I love me some Oats In A Jar

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      This morning was wonderful because there were Oats In A Jar (OIAJ) aka the best breakfast ever! My husband and I actually have an “Oats in a Jar” song which I can’t help but sing (slightly off key) while I make my oats in a jar because its just that exciting; its not every morning that you get to have OIAJ.

      This is where it all starts- a almost empty nut butter jar- this morning it was a Peanut Butter Jar

      Other items in this mornings mix: cooked rolled oats (1/2 cup rolled oats + 1 cup water; bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until cooked 5-7 minutes), defrosted frozen mixed berries, chia seeds, and a little crunchy granola topping.

      Nothing goes better with OIAJ than a nice mug of coffee and an excuse to use my new french press.

      My parents got me this little french press for Christmas and it is perfect for those mornings when the Hubz or I are alone and want one cup of coffee instead of making a large french press. Curious on how to use a french press? Check out my how to post here.

      Are you a french press, electric coffee maker or instant person? I am a french press person at our house, if we are out I will buy drip coffee but we don’t have an electric coffee maker at home.  I really find that a french press makes the best cup of coffee but that’s just me.

      Under Construction

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      Cook.Vegan.Lover. is in the process of getting a facelift.  For the past year I have been making a list of all of the features and improvements that I would like to see on this blog and finally I sat down and drew out a template for him to work from.  Now I am not sure when these improvements will begin to show themselves but hopefully within the next few weeks.

      On top of working on improving the blog my husband is also working on my health counseling website- which for right now is the one provided by the school.  However it will be updated ASAP and you will be able to sign up for my monthly Healthy Tips newsletter.  If you are interested in receiving this newsletter you can email me now and I will add you to the list: lindsay@gethealthywithlindsay.com

      Other things that are going on right now regarding this blog:

      – I am in the process of working on another e-book.  I have a number of really dedicated testers who have generously offered to test my recipes and provide feedback so that I can offer you a really wonderful recipe e-book.  This one will feature healthy recipes for the entire family.

      – I am still working through the survey that I asked you to fill out.  This survey has provided me with really wonderful feedback and I will be blogging about this soon.

      Christmas Eve Party of 4

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      This Christmas Eve we had my parents over for a little holiday party with drinks and appetizers. There was also a round of Scattergories, a photo shoot and a movie before heading to bed to wait for Santa to arrive.

      Roasted Artichoke Salad: Preheat oven to 400F. Toss 1 package of frozen artichoke hearts that have been defrosted with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Roast for 25 minutes. Whisk together the dressing for the salad: 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tsp dijon mustard, and 1 tsp agave. Toss dressing with warm artichoke hearts and 1 tablespoon of capers; serve room temperature.

      Trio of olives: garlic stuffed, oil cured, & Greek Mix

      Veggies with Ranch Dip

      Crackers with Wayfare Hickory Cheddar Spread

      Gardein Chik'n Fingers with Smoked Paprika Dip: For the Dip- 1/4 cup sour supreme, 1/4 cup vegenaise, 1 heaping tsp of hot smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp dried parsley, 1/4 tsp onion powder, salt and pepper to taste- whisk together!

      Bourbon Spiked Soy Nog

      Chocolate Bock Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Spice Glaze

      After eating and drinking came photos: