time for a change

for those of you who know me personally, you know that i have always had blonde hair.  straight, long, blonde hair.  i never change it.  i am too chicken to cut it, dye it, try something new (with the exception of dying it dark brown ONE TIME.  ONCE.  in my life)  also, im waaaayy to lazy to do anything fun to it.  and now that im a mom, ive given up the hair straightener and most mornings forgo the blow dryer.  its not that i dont care or dont have time, i think its because im bored.  over it.  i need to shake things up!  im thinking...

yep, red.  now, more than likely my hairstylist will roll her eyes, laugh at me and then just shake her head.  because, you see, i have threatened to change my hair COUNTLESS times in the past and always end up leaving the salon with blonde hair and a trim.  thats it.  i chicken out.  why?  its just hair!!  i can always change it again if i hate it.  its not like im chopping it all off, and even if i did, it will grow back.  so why the hesitancy?  thats my problem.  i dont know.  maybe its because blonde is all i have ever known.  i like blonde.  i look good blonde.  its my identity for pete's sake! 

so here is what im thinking, colorwise....

ooohh lindsay.  you are so silly.  disregard how trashy she looks and how obviously fake her extensions are.  focus on the color.  its ALMOST blonde.  this red is so do-able.  it wouldnt be that different from my hair now, but still a change.  which is monumental in itself.

 

sienna.  this looks a bit more red to me, but still not full-blown "red-head."  i can see myself doing this also, but maybe not this go around.  it is definitely more red than lindsay's hair, but a bit "witchy" looking.  but i do like the color on sienna. it looks great with her skin tone and eye color.  

ashlee.  this might be a bit much for me.  a little darker than i was thinking, but still a beautiful color.  brown tones, but the red still shines through.  i am not thinking this will be MY red, but a great color nonetheless.

kirsten.  now this is RED.  i have been told that i look like kirsten.  ughhh, i guess i kind of do, but i just dont think shes that cute.  and most of the times i see her in magazines, she looks dirty and greasy, like she needs a shower.  shes too skinny for my taste, no boobs (not that that matters).  kind of boyish in a way.  but anyhow, thats not what i am here to discuss.  i believe this color was for the spiderman movies and it doesnt look that bad on her, really.  she definitely dyed the eyebrows to match, and her lip color is a perfect marriage.  but, again, maybe not for me.

christina.  fail.  this is just trashy.  maybe its the sparkly bandeau top, or the bicep jewelry.  im not sure.  but the hair isnt working either.  blonde, red, black.  no, no, no.  but a hairstyle like this on a music artist with hit songs titled "dirrty" "stripped" and "sex for breakfast" is not surprising.  

anyhow.  my hair appointment is TODAY.  can i make the change?

vegan chocolate cupcakes with coffee buttercream frosting

vegan cupcakes?!  yuck, right?  WRONG.  i made these cupcakes a week ago and they were so delicious, i might start using this recipe as my go-to cupcake recipe.  i just wont tell people they are vegan, and they will love them!  the thought of a vegan cupcake might not be appealing to some, and i admit, i was really scared to take my first bite.  and boy was i pleasantly surprised.  the cupcake was so moist and flavorful and the frosting had the perfect texture.  the combination was to die for, and now im sharing the recipe with you.

how did i even come up with a vegan cupcake recipe?  most people who arent vegan dont keep standard vegan-friendly ingredients stocked in their pantry - coconut oil, coconut milk, vegan margarine, non-hydrogenated shortening (just to name a few).  when youre thinking about baking without butter and eggs, it may seem impossible to find ingredients to stand in as substitutes.  of course, as many of you know, i google everything.   so i googled "vegan cupcake recipe" and read through about 10 recipes or so before deciding to try chef chloe's chocolate cupcake recipe.  chef chloe won the cupcake wars competition on the food network, beating non-vegan bakers and impressing the hard-to-understand french judge, and the owner/founder of sprinkles cupcakes, candace nelson.  chef chloe is young and super cute, but also very talented.  lets give her recipe a go!

chocolate cupcakes 

(frosting recipe below)

ingredients needed:

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup coconut milk

1/2cup vegetable oil

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp instant espresso powder

preheat oven to 350 - yields 12 cupcakes

bake time: 20 min - line cupcake pan with paper liners

method:

sift or whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.

in a separate bowl, mix the coconut milk, oil, vinegar, vanilla, and espresso powder until smooth.

pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and mix with a fork or small whisk.

divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners until each cup is 2/3 full.  the batter made about 17 cupcakes for me, but i guess i could have filled the cups a little bit more.  to divide the batter evenly, try using an ice cream scoop, or as 1/3 cup measuring scoop.

bake for about 20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.  i took mine out right around 18 minutes.  let cool in cupcake pan for about 3 min, then transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack.  *always let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.  (i definitely could have filled my cupcake liners up a bit more.  on my second batch i did and they were perfect).

coffee buttercream frosting

ingredients needed:

1 tbsp instant espresso powder (i used finely ground instant coffee i had on hand)

2 tbsp amaretto liquor

1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup non-hydrogenated shortening (i used non-hydrogenated margarine and refined coconut oil will also work)

4 cups organic confectioners sugar (i used conventional)

2 tablespoons water

method:

combine espresso powder, amaretto, and vanilla in small bowl and mix or swirl bowl until espresso powder has dissolved (about 1 minute). 

beat shortening in large bowl with an electric mixer for about 1 minute, then add confectioner's sugar.  i decided to sift my sugar before adding it.. personal preference.

 

add the espresso mixture to the frosting a little at a time as you beat it. you might not want to add ALL the espresso mixture depending on the climate and how the frosting is looking. Once it becomes a desirable consistency, you can stop adding it. If you dump it all in at once, it may become too runny.  (for me, i need all of the espresso mixture).  if it is too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until desired buttercream consistency is achieved. beat on high for about 5 minutes, making sure you scrape down the sides with a spatula often.

pipe or frost with a knife.

give this recipe a try.  you wont be sorry!

bloggin' for a livin'

well, its a good thing i dont do this bloggin' thing for a living, because i am seriously far behind in my vegan updates.  i really want to let you all in on my little vegan cupcake recipe.  the cupcakes we SO amazing, really.  even brian mentioned that they may be the best cupcakes i have ever made him (which is saying  A LOT).  i love sweets, and i bake often - especially cupcakes.   

but, as for today, monday - valentine's day.  i am no longer following a vegan diet.  filet mignon for dinner.  so perfect.  everyone have an amazing day with their loved ones and tomorrow i will be posting a complete briefing of my week as a vegan.

"glad the search is over.  the adventure continues..."

falling beeehiiiinnndddd - VEGAN UPDATE

wow.. i just realized that i havent posted since monday.  this week has been super hectic and even worse, brian, myself and kai all have a cold.  greeeaatttt!  i had a sore throat on wednesday and started feeling super under the weather last night.  and today, its full-on.  im sipping on theraflu (yes its vegan.. and even if it wasnt, i wouldnt care at this point) and trying to get some work done, but my head isnt cooperating. i made some super yummy vegan cupcakes on tuesday.  and plan on making some hummus tomorrow.  all of my vegan plans didnt really come together this week, and brian has already quit on me.  he quit yesterday.  the vegan diet doesnt really agree with him.... and he constantly whines about not getting enough protein.  im with him.  its super hard to eat "chik'n" when you really want CHICKEN!!  the meat substitute products, while some are pretty good, just dont do it for me.  its a texture and consistency thing mostly.  we made "chik'n" tacos the other night and i had to practically swallow it whole and gag it down.  NOT enjoyable!  also, the coffee thing.  i really enjoy the creaminess that really milk gives the coffee.  almond milk and truvia just dont cut it.  and i LOOOOVEEEE coffee.  all forms.  EXCEPT black.  i need my cream and sugar.  i have just given up on drinking coffee all week.  so sad.  

anyhow.. the main reason for this post is to inform you that i am still sticking to the vegan diet.  i havent had any blunders other than the first day, i just have been way to busy to post the recipes and photos.  tomorrow or tonight i am gonna work on that.   

stay tuned.  stay vegan.  at least until sunday.

day one - so far... FAIL

so, in a hurry to get out the door today and head to work, i grabbed my easy on-the-go breakfast.  double fiber english muffin with peanut butter and two morning star veggie sausages.  poured my almond milk into a water bottle and grabbed a few packets of truvia (for my coffee) - done.  out the door.  heading to work thinking.. wow i didnt do any shopping to prepare for my vegan adventure (starting today), what am i gonna have for lunch?!  great.  so i get to work, finish up some projects that need to be done ASAP, get on the computer and google "morning star sausage patties."  and FAIL.  the second ingredient listed: egg whites.  greeaattt.  NOT VEGAN.  i had a sneaking suspicion that these veggie sausage patties weren't vegan, but didnt have the time to grab my oatmeal instead.  so, back to my other problem, lunch... there arent many restaurants around my office and the ones that are nearby certainly dont offer vegan alternatives.  im thinking... veggie sandwich from subway.  cant be 100% sure the bread is vegan, but i have already had one blunder, so this day is a wash.  i think i am going to make a trip to whole foods on my way home.  they opened a new one in bella terra back in october.  i have to pick up some vegan staples and plan something for dinner.  brian is on board with my for this week, so i cannot screw this up already.  

shopping list:

milk alternative - soy, almond, rice, hemp - whatever suites your taste, but i will say this, dont do soy all the time, switch it up.  i already purchased some almond milk (i was thinking a little bit ahead)

butter alternative - i keep earth balance spread on hand - they also make sticks, just like traditional butter

fresh/frozen fruits and veggies (obviously) - get a variety and think of meal planning

beans - all kinds, including chick peas/garbanzos

brown rice - i buy it frozen (already cooked) from costco.  SO easy

tofu - i HAAAATTTTEEEE tofu.  but i am willing to give it a chance this time around

hummus - always LOVED hummus, now it will be my new best friend.  easy to make yourself as well.  i will be posting a delicious recipe (probably tomorrow).  i am going to make some this week

nuts/seeds - i prefer raw and unsalted (you can also get trail mixes for snacking)

whole wheat pasta/pasta sauces/canned tomato products

popcorn - for snacks

protein powder - i use either soy or hemp - my breakfast will usually consist of a blended veggie smoothie (recipe to come)

vinegars/condiments/sauces - bragg's is a great apple cider vinegar

nutritional yeast - have yet to try it, but have heard it has amazing health benefits and is great in your "cheese" recipes

bread - rudi's or ezekial - just check the ingredients as some of the varieties are NOT vegan - remember honey is NOT VEGAN

happy shopping my vegan friends!

VEGAN challenge

oprah.  oprah.  oprah.  i love her.  and i am SO sad that this is her last season because her new OWN network isn't cuttin' it.  period.  its not in HD and i have yet to see a show that i like.  sad.  anyhow... i record oprah everyday and usually find time to watch it on my days off while im folding laundry or cleaning the house.  the topic of the recorded show i watched yesterday was veganism  and food consumption awareness.  her guests included  famed food author michael pollan, author and well-known vegan kathy freston, as well as general manager of cargill meat solutions beef processing facility in fort morgan, colorado, nicole johnson-hoffman.  the show was very informative and eye-opening and even included footage of oprah correspondent, lisa ling's tour through the cargill slaugherhouse with nicole johnson-hoffman.  the video was graphic, but terribly interesting.  johnson-hoffman did an excellent job of explaining the methods and processes of the facility during the tour.  but what i found most intriguing was that after seeing the slaughter right in front of her eyes, lisa ling, a meat-eater before the tour, still eats meat after what she saw. 

oprah challenged the staff of harpo studios to a 7-day vegan diet.  the challenge was optional, however 378 staffers, including oprah, signed on: no meat. no milk.  no animal anything.  one week.  so, like i have done before, i am going vegan for a week.  however, my biggest challenge is not giving up animal products, its convincing my husband to get on board with me.  i gave him the heads up today and he says he is going to think about it this weekend.  i figured we would start on monday, after the big game this sunday.  that will give us a weekend of gluttony followed by a week of cleansing.  as for myself, i have done many vegan cleanses in the past.  most of them including no alcohol, no caffeine, and no processed carbohydrates.  because heck, i can go on a tater tot and cookie binge all week and still remain vegan.  thats not the point.  so, even if i cant get brian to join me, starting monday, february 7th, i will be on a vegan diet.  

i purchased two new books for my kindle to get me motivated.  you should too!

 veganist - kathy freston

 the omnivore's dilemma - michael pollan

stay tuned for my daily journey through my 7-day vegan challenge

one week VEGAN challenge

stay tuned...