As many you know I attempted to do a pantry challenge back in January however after a week and half of trying I realized our pantry was just not overstocked enough to follow through with the challenge. Now that my pantry is stocked back up I have decided that it is time for a pantry challenge redux. Basically I will only be allowed to buy $20 of fresh produce a week and non-dairy milk for the remainder of the month. I have a packed pantry, freezer and fridge right now and we are in desperate need of cleaning it out, oh and it’ll be nice to save a little dough ($). This challenge will help me do a number of things:
1. Create new recipes
2. Saves money
3. Ensures that food does not get wasted
I’m excited to see how well I do, while still eating healthy. This week I picked up:
2.07 lbs of Bananas $1.43
.19 lbs of Garlic $.76
1 package of Scallions $1.69
10oz of Mushrooms $2.49
3PK of Romaine Hearts $3.49
4.61 lbs of Navel Oranges $4.57
1lb Carrots $.89
5lb Russet Potatoes $1.69
2 Lemons $1
2.71 lbs of Green Cabbage $.68
Total: $18.69
Have you ever tried a pantry challenge? How well did it go for you?
Lotus Foods sent me a few samples of their exotic rices. I was delighted to find that the package included:
Bhutanese Red Rice- We tried the Bhutanese Red Rice the other night and it was absolutely delicious. This rice is a short grain rice has a great nutty flavor
Forbidden Rice- this rice is black which makes it so much fun to eat because the color makes the dish interesting.
Jade Pearl Rice- I haven’t tried this one yet but it is described as “When cooked, this premium rice produces the aroma of a bamboo forest, a light vanilla taste, and an explosion of health giving nutrients.” (source)
Cambodian Mekong Flower Rice- this rice was really floral and nutty
Indonesian Volcano Rice- I also have yet to try this but it sounds amazing: “Volcano Rice is a colorful blend of nutrient-dense brown and red rice. Reputed to restore vitality due to its high mineral and fiber content, the Javanese favor this healthy rice for its satisfying wholesome flavor.” (source)
Lotus Foods sent me a few big bags and some one cup samples so now I am going to give you a chance to win 3 one cup samples. Enter by March 15, 2010 at 8am- update since I have an appointment I will not be around to pick the winner at 8am so you will have until 8PM. (P.S. Unfortunately this giveaway will only be open to U.S. residence)
To Enter:
Visit the Lotus Foods website and let me know which flavor you’d like to try.
Additional Entries:
Follow Cooking For A Vegan Lover on Facebook (leave a comment)
Follow cookveganlover on twitter (leave a comment)
Tweet “I want to win @cookveganlover Lotus Foods giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-xG” (leave a comment)
Disclaimer: Lotus Foods provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
On our last night in Boston we decided to make a last minute reservation at Myers & Chang located in the South End. Like Grezzo we have wanted to visit Myers & Chang on our many past trips to Boston but had never really been in the area. However, this time our hotel was only a 20 minute walk from the restaurant so we decided to go, and boy were we glad we did.
The atmosphere of Myers & Chang reminds me of something I’ve seen on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations in Toyko or Beijing; it is very loud & high paced with low lighting and hip-hop playing over the speakers. The food is served family style which is my favorite way to eat because dishes come out as they are ready so if you’re lucky you get to enjoy each dish as a separate “course”.
Since the husband had been making comments all weekend about trying a Scorpion Bowl we decided that since there was one on the drink menu that we must start with it. For those of you who don’t know a Scorpion Bowl is generally filled with some sort of variation of 3 different kinds of rum, gin, vodka, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine- basically it taste like a tropical vacation.
Hubz trying out the Scorpion Bowl
For our dinner we decided to go with four dishes- 2 snacks, a noodle and a green. One of the great features to the vegetarian menu (oh don’t forget to ask them for one when you arrive) is that all vegan dishes are marked with (v) so that they are easily identifiable. For our dishes we went with:
edamame and celery slaw with sesame oil & candied lemon
grilled 5-spice tofu buns-bao, brandied hoisin, house pickles
spicy brussels sprouts
vegetarian wok-charred udon noodles, tofu, baby bok choy
Since the place was packed and we made a super last minute reservation we were stuck at probably the worst table in the house, you know the one right next to the kitchen where servers hustle in and out. We were however sitting close enough to the open kitchen that we could see the chefs cook up the meals and the huge flames which gave all the food this great barbeque/charred flavor. All of the food was amazing and I would order everything again.
Since we were craving something sweet we decided to see if there were any vegan dessert options. Our waiter came back to let us know that there was an orange granita or a chocolate mousse that both were vegan. We decided to go with the chocolate mousse which was whipped tofu, vanilla and dark chocolate.
If you are vegetarian this usually comes with 5-spiced homemade marshmallows
After years of talking about visiting Grezzo (pronounced GRAY-zo and means raw in Italian) we finally went for lunch on our last Boston trip. The restaurant is located in the North End of Boston and is open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is very quaint, filled with large paintings of fruits and vegetables that were beautiful and I just wanted to take them home with me. The very tiny kitchen is located at the back of the restaurant and has no stoves or ovens just prep tables, refrigerators, a dehydrator and other essential appliances for creating raw meals.
We sat and looked over the menu for quiet awhile, not because it was big but because everything sounded amazing and we were having such a hard time deciding on what we wanted to try. We decided to start of with some drinks which can come with or without sake (we went without):
These drinks were incredible! Neil had the Chai, it tasted like a chai milk shake and was delicious. I had the Mojito – it was delicious and so refreshing. For lunch I decided to go with the Gnocchi Carbonara-the gnocchi were so good and the cream sauce was amazing. The hubz went with the BLTA (“Bacon”, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado)- this was honestly the best sandwich either of us had ever had. It came with sweet potato chips and pickled vegetables which were also delicious.
Gnocchi Carbonara - house-made dumplings, creamy rawmesan and fresh English peas with pea shoots and crispy eggplant
BLTA Italian Bread Wrap- eggplant bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and house cheese
Lastly, we decided that we just couldn’t leaved without trying one of the desserts since everyone raves about them. We decided to go with the Cheesecake of the Day which happened to be a New York style and was served with raspberry gelato. Overall we loved our meal and can’t wait to go back again. I think we will try dinner next time as the dinner options sound amazing as well.
I recently posted a review for Crazy Rumors vegan lip balm. I have found another great vegan lip balm, HURRAW! a great all natural, vegan and made from premium raw and fair trade ingredients. One thing that I love about this lip balm is the shape, it’s oval versus round which helps to coat the lips better. I loved the Cinnamon Tinted Lip Balm; it was a great flavor and gave my lips a nice pink tint. My hubby loved the Vanilla Bean Lip Balm and he was also a big fan of this stuff. It’s great to find not only a vegan but also raw lip balm. I would definitely recommend these to any raw foodist or vegan looking for a new lip balm.
Disclaimer: HURRAW! provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
"Perfected Foods strives not only to improve the quality of food, but improve the quality of life. Our Soy Jerky is all natural, cholesterol free, vegan, packed with protein and made right here in the United States." Source
Perfected Foods sent me a few samples of their vegan jerky to try. They sent me one of each of their flavors Mesquite, Hot Wing, Cajun, or Sweet Barbecue flavors. Although these products are all natural, cholesterol free and vegan I didn’t find them to be my favorite vegan jerky. They were really dry and tough to chew. I have to say I really like the creative flavors that they have. Now I am not a huge fan of jerky myself so others might like these more than I did. I am going to give 2 of you a chance to try Perfected Foods vegan jerky out for yourself. This giveaway will end March 9, 2010 at 8am.
To Enter:
Visit the Perfected Foods website and let me know which flavor you’d like to try.
Additional Entries:
Follow Cooking For A Vegan Lover on Facebook (leave a comment)
Follow cookveganlover on twitter (leave a comment)
Tweet “I want to win @cookveganlover Perfected Foods Vegan Jerky http://wp.me/ppaTI-ug” (leave a comment)
Disclaimer: Perfected Foods provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
Hi Everyone! So as many of you know my husband and I have run off to Boston, my old home for a brief time, for some R&R and of course yummy eat s and drinks. I was recently asked about vegan options in Boston and I have put together a list of places that my husband and I love as well as some other options we have yet to try but I hear are good:
I hope this list is helpful! People say Boston isn’t vegan friendly but it so is! There are tons of options here are some:
Has the best bagels with tofu spread ever! These are my husband and I’s favorite thing to get when we go to Boston. These are usually located within Espresso Royale’s. Our favorite location is on Newbury St.
I have had mixed experiences at Grasshopper, but have come to learn that the only dishes you should get here are ones that are deep fried. The No-Name is most people’s stand-by and it is delicious.
This place sells a yummy veggie dog. These are so good and you can get so many different combinations. So for something quick, easy, yummy and cheap this is a good choice.
I haven’t visited this place yet but I hear that has amazing food and the vegan options are labeled on the menu. (There are a Boston, Cambridge and Waltham locations. Oh and reservations recommended).
The Other Side Café 407 Newbury Street
This was always my college standby when I was going to school in Boston. The atmosphere is really fun and the food is delicious. There are tons of vegan options as well as raw vegan options. The tea selection is amazing and so good as well. If there is one really great place to visit I would suggest here.
This place is cheap and delicious. It has great vegan thai food. (There is also a Brookline location.)
Pho Pasteur II 682 Washington Street
This place is just below My Thai Vegan Cafe and has great Vietnamese food. They have a great vegetarian menu that has vegan friendly options. The food is cheap, yummy and you get a ton of it.
This place is AMAZING! My husband and i absolutely love it and the food is delicious. The place is Ethiopian and is served very traditional and is so good it is a must try if you like Ethiopian food or are interested in trying something new. Also all the vegetarian items are vegan. (I don’t care for their Cambridge location.)
Le’s 36 JFK Street- Located at Harvard Square in Cambridge- I believe there is an Allston location as well
Le’s serves delicious and affordable Vietnamese food in a casual setting. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes to chose from, many of them are vegan.
The Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub 472 Massachusetts Avenue www.mideastclub.com
this place has great Middle Eastern foods. You could also try ZuZu which is part of The Middle East group and is next door- it’s a little fancier and I hear has great food
I haven’t tried this place yet but people love it. The vegan options are listed on the menu.
Also Faniuel Hall has a big food court with a ton of options that vegans can eat from sushi to indian to thai. There is also a great Mexican place at Quincy Market that I can’t remember the name of but it’s on the left side of Quincy Market and has great food.
There are also tons of options at the Prudential Center food court.
If you are going with Omni’s Legal Seafood has one vegan dish.
There is also PF Changs and CPK which has some vegan options.
For quick items there is Bolocco and Qudoba that both have vegan options.
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