My first wholly vegan day was pretty awesome. For breakfast, I had French toast - homemade ciabatta, dipped in soy milk, and lightly pan fried in Earth Balance. At the last minute, I tossed in some raspberries and blueberries from the garden - poured over the toast and added maple syrup.
For lunch, leftover pizza we made Friday night. We make our own pizza crust and our own sauce. I considered adding a vegan mozzarella - but I have fresh herbs in the garden and I had some leftover olives, so I thought I could make a really tasty pizza with no cheese. And I did :)
Dinner was a Barbeque Tofu and Zucchini sandwich with Vegan Cole Slaw (recipes forthcoming).
No cravings for anything and nothing much different than most days.
Peace,
michele
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Zucchini Times - The Vegetarian Italian Hero
This is so awesome - you'll grow more zucchini (and eggplants, and tomatoes, and basil) to have it at least once a week!
The Vegetarian Italian Hero
1 loaf ciabatta bread - homemade or purchased
1 small eggplant, sliced lengthwise
1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise
1 roasted red pepper
1 fresh tomato, sliced
4 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Bragg's Liquid Aminos
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 cup basil pesto - homemade or purchased
1/4 cup olive tapenade - homemade or purchased
4 slices of good quality provolone cheese, halved
extra olive oil as needed
Combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Bragg's, and salt & pepper to taste. Place in a shallow pan and toss the sliced zucchini and eggplant in the marinade. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, lite the grill. When marinated, grill the zucchini and eggplant until softer and caramelized. Slice the loaf of ciabatta in half and drizzle each half with olive oil. Grill, cut side down until lightly toasted. When all are grilled, assemble sandwich.
Spread the basil pesto on the bottom half of the bread. Next, layer half of the provolone, then the tomatoes, the eggplant, the zucchini, the roasted red pepper, and another layer of provolone. You could add a few fresh oregano leaves to the center if you'd like.
Spread the top half of the bread with the olive tapenade. Carefully put the top on the sandwich. Press the sandwich down and wrap tightly with foil (recycled if available). Put the whole sandwich on the grill for 4 minutes per side. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
Slice and enjoy with a glass of wine!
Peace
DharmaDogs
The Vegetarian Italian Hero
1 loaf ciabatta bread - homemade or purchased
1 small eggplant, sliced lengthwise
1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise
1 roasted red pepper
1 fresh tomato, sliced
4 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Bragg's Liquid Aminos
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 cup basil pesto - homemade or purchased
1/4 cup olive tapenade - homemade or purchased
4 slices of good quality provolone cheese, halved
extra olive oil as needed
Combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Bragg's, and salt & pepper to taste. Place in a shallow pan and toss the sliced zucchini and eggplant in the marinade. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, lite the grill. When marinated, grill the zucchini and eggplant until softer and caramelized. Slice the loaf of ciabatta in half and drizzle each half with olive oil. Grill, cut side down until lightly toasted. When all are grilled, assemble sandwich.
Spread the basil pesto on the bottom half of the bread. Next, layer half of the provolone, then the tomatoes, the eggplant, the zucchini, the roasted red pepper, and another layer of provolone. You could add a few fresh oregano leaves to the center if you'd like.
Spread the top half of the bread with the olive tapenade. Carefully put the top on the sandwich. Press the sandwich down and wrap tightly with foil (recycled if available). Put the whole sandwich on the grill for 4 minutes per side. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
Slice and enjoy with a glass of wine!
Peace
DharmaDogs
The Zucchini Times
Even though I've diligently picked zucchini every single day since seeing that first succulent morsel attached to it's flower, barely a baby zucc - we still got the monster already!
In case you forgot how to deal with these, see our step-by-step Zucchini Relish post from last year's harvest. We'll be posting our zucchini recipes as we come up with them this year - stay tuned!
Peace
DharmaDogsFarm
Going Vegan
I've been eating vegetarian again for about 6 months, finally realizing this is who I really am and that it's okay if Danny wants to eat meat - I don't have to. Over these last 6 months, I have lost over 40 pounds and 10 inches. I am obviously right about who I am :)
Last month, Dan picked up Kathy Freston's Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World
. So much of what I found in this book rang true to me, from poisons in our food, to the real causes of cancer, and the inhumane treatment of animals. I immediately began rethinking everything I was eating - no longer eating anything made with eggs unless the eggs came from my own coddled hens. Casein became an enemy - causing cancer almost as certainly as bleach will. I even investigated the alcohol we drink - and personal products we are using.
As I started to eat a lot more vegan, I also realized there are some substitutions that don't make sense to me. I have found artificial colors and trans fats in many substitute products. I am certainly still learning this way of life - even having been vegetarian for several years in the 70's-80's, veganism is new to me.
Today I am starting a three week journey into strict veganism. I look at it as an adventure - one that might continue on for the rest of my life. There is a part of me that feels true authenticity can't be found in substitutes. This doesn't mean I won't carry on vegan - but may give up the substitutes altogether.
That said, I'm still looking for a good vegan parmesan cheese ....
Peace
Last month, Dan picked up Kathy Freston's Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World
. So much of what I found in this book rang true to me, from poisons in our food, to the real causes of cancer, and the inhumane treatment of animals. I immediately began rethinking everything I was eating - no longer eating anything made with eggs unless the eggs came from my own coddled hens. Casein became an enemy - causing cancer almost as certainly as bleach will. I even investigated the alcohol we drink - and personal products we are using.As I started to eat a lot more vegan, I also realized there are some substitutions that don't make sense to me. I have found artificial colors and trans fats in many substitute products. I am certainly still learning this way of life - even having been vegetarian for several years in the 70's-80's, veganism is new to me.
Today I am starting a three week journey into strict veganism. I look at it as an adventure - one that might continue on for the rest of my life. There is a part of me that feels true authenticity can't be found in substitutes. This doesn't mean I won't carry on vegan - but may give up the substitutes altogether.
That said, I'm still looking for a good vegan parmesan cheese ....
Peace
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A Good Day
Early morning bird songs fill the air
Knelt down in the early morning dew
Face toward Mother Earth - I am free
A faint click of the inverter signals Father Sun is rounding the oaks
Jingle of tags on collars prove my companions-protectors are with me
Grandmother spider scurries in front of me, snatching bugs as I pull up their cover
Daddy bluebird watches over chattering little ones while mommy catches a bite
Peach, pear, cherry, and hazelnuts rustle in the light breeze while almond sways gently
Barn owls who their good night-end as they settle in -
Second totem, after Wolf, before Raven
Pain reminds me my daily path is not true
Tiny yellow flowers dance like faeries over the lady's mantle
A snap of peppermint floods childhood memories -
Incense and peppermints and strawberry alarm clocks
Pretty red roses remind me of a friend who saved me
Sun-soaked to the core of my soul - I am happy
Charentais flowers unfold their faces toward the sun
Mason bees buzz happily in the tomato forest
A tribe of chipmunks sounds the warning
As hawk settles majestically in the white pine
Cackling hens signal fresh eggs
An old squaw - some say medicine woman - creaks without groaning
Red beet soldiers line up for thinning - the selection process is brutal
Black swallowtail dances effortlessly-carelessly through the air
Strawberries half red, blueberries almost blue
Raspberries are plump with promise
Air heavy with the intoxicating smell of honeysuckle
It must be June at Dharma Dogs Farm
Wanishi
Weli Kishku
Lenape for:
Thank you
Have a Good Day
Knelt down in the early morning dew
Face toward Mother Earth - I am free
A faint click of the inverter signals Father Sun is rounding the oaks
Jingle of tags on collars prove my companions-protectors are with me
Grandmother spider scurries in front of me, snatching bugs as I pull up their cover
Daddy bluebird watches over chattering little ones while mommy catches a bite
Peach, pear, cherry, and hazelnuts rustle in the light breeze while almond sways gently
Barn owls who their good night-end as they settle in -
Second totem, after Wolf, before Raven
Pain reminds me my daily path is not true
Tiny yellow flowers dance like faeries over the lady's mantle
A snap of peppermint floods childhood memories -
Incense and peppermints and strawberry alarm clocks
Pretty red roses remind me of a friend who saved me
Sun-soaked to the core of my soul - I am happy
Charentais flowers unfold their faces toward the sun
Mason bees buzz happily in the tomato forest
A tribe of chipmunks sounds the warning
As hawk settles majestically in the white pine
Cackling hens signal fresh eggs
An old squaw - some say medicine woman - creaks without groaning
Red beet soldiers line up for thinning - the selection process is brutal
Black swallowtail dances effortlessly-carelessly through the air
Strawberries half red, blueberries almost blue
Raspberries are plump with promise
Air heavy with the intoxicating smell of honeysuckle
It must be June at Dharma Dogs Farm
Wanishi
Weli Kishku
Lenape for:
Thank you
Have a Good Day
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Happy Spring
If you want to call it that here in central PA. It has been very cold, damp, raining - and yes, we even have had snow in the last few weeks, depending on how high your property is.
This is the weirdest spring for us in a lot of ways. First, there is no real garden planted. Normally, St. Patrick's day would be the day we put in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and plant onion sets, spinach and peas (not together). Normally, I would put a few lettuce, carrot, and beet seeds out to see when the soil warms enough for them to germinate (that's the time to plant them). But this year, there has been carnage to the vegetable garden. Most of my herb garden is gone - I was happy to see a few stragglers I can rebuild with:
This is the weirdest spring for us in a lot of ways. First, there is no real garden planted. Normally, St. Patrick's day would be the day we put in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and plant onion sets, spinach and peas (not together). Normally, I would put a few lettuce, carrot, and beet seeds out to see when the soil warms enough for them to germinate (that's the time to plant them). But this year, there has been carnage to the vegetable garden. Most of my herb garden is gone - I was happy to see a few stragglers I can rebuild with:
The Lady's Mantle is coming back pretty well.
A few pretty flowers for encouragement
Sure, there's one echinacea making a valiant effort, as well as a yarrow - but most of the gardens have been flattened, muddied, and are barren. What could cause this kind of destruction?
Yea - we still LOVE them and our lives revolve around them :-)
None to fear - there is plenty in the greenhouse gardens to eat:
Kale
Spinach
Endive
Romaine Lettuce
An over-wintered Swiss Chard, and
Chives
In a year where the economy and radiation are both looming threats, we are thankful for our greenhouse. Food costs are increasing at an alarming rate, and pesticides, herbicides, and genetically-modified produce is getting harder and harder to avoid, we encourage everyone to grow at least some of their produce this year.
Here's to a healthy growing season!
Peace, Love and Laughter,
Dharma Dogs
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wonders of the Natural World
We have an abundance of dragonflies every year, but last weekend while walking around our property, I saw the biggest and most beautiful dragonfly I've seen in many years and I just had to stop and spend some time with it. After all, adult dragonflies only live for about two months and it's getting pretty frosty around here the last few days.
There is a creek (the Conewago) just across the field from us where the dragonflies likely lay their eggs. This one will need to find a mate and get laying soon so the nymphs can spend a cozy winter beneath the water. We'll meet them next spring (sometimes as early as late February).
There is a creek (the Conewago) just across the field from us where the dragonflies likely lay their eggs. This one will need to find a mate and get laying soon so the nymphs can spend a cozy winter beneath the water. We'll meet them next spring (sometimes as early as late February).
Peace from Dharma Dogs Farm
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