Vegan "Caramel" Fruit Dip

Vegan Caramel Fruit Dip

For those who will entertaining over this up-coming holiday season, this is perfect to set out with cut up fruit. This is also perfect for those with little ones, watch out though, there is a lot of sugar. The boys LOVED this one!

1 cup dates
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup hemp milk

1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender. Pulse until smooth and chill until ready to be served.

Non-Dairy Cheese Cake

Non-Dairy Cheese Cake
Vegan

Bruce loves this with strawberries, and Grant really liked this too.... My favorite topping is raspberries, it compliments the lemon so wonderfully! My sister in law would always ask for this as the dessert during holidays.... ~_^

Ingredients:

2 8oz. containers of plain non-dairy cream cheese (I like Follow Your Heart)
1 cup organic sugar
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
dash of vanilla (about 1/8 teaspoon)
1 graham cracker crust
Fresh Fruit topping of your choice (raspberries, blueberries or strawberries are all good)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine ingredients until smooth and pour into the graham cracker crust. Bake for 60 minutes or until the top is golden. Allow to cool at room temperature then chill in the refrigerator until firm. This take several hours or overnight. Cover with fruit topping and serve.....

Found: PETA

The Art of Composting.....

The Art of Composting….

When I was living in San Antonio, I had a composting pile that was really nutrient rich. It really didn't take long for the earth worms to find their way, and make it even better… My potted plants flourished from the compost, and my trash output went WAY down. It was a sad moment when I had to give the pile to Mother Nature, and move to Colorado.

Now that Bruce and I are settled, we've established a new composting pile that has had to be emptied out 3 times. This last time, I found the first earth worm and was really excited. Bruce had told me that he's never been successful at composting.

So here it is: a list of items that can be composted. Between this and recycling there is little to go into a landfill.

Of course here are the basics:

veggie/fruit food scraps (excluding onion and garlic-they can kill the good microbes)
cotton balls/q-tips (cardboard handle)
plant trimmings/fresh flowers/dried flowers
coffee grounds/tea bags
stale crackers/tortilla chips/potato chips
stale/moldy bread

Things that surprised me (that make sense):

insides of the vacuum bag/dryer lint
pencil shavings
paper muffin/cupcake liners
tofu/tempeh
toothpicks
fireplace ash
wine coorks (not plastic)

Things I had NO idea about:

cooked pasta
booze (wine/beer)
non-dairy/soy "milk-dairy"
dog food (dry)/rawhides
old masking tape
paper towels/napkins
toilet paper/paper towel rolls (shredded first)
pizza/cereal boxes (shredded first)

Make sure that you cover the "food" items with dirt, plant trimmings or the vacuum bag contents. You can attract flies or vermin; plus it will smell. Don't forget, if you use Method quick wipes, they are compost-able too... Happy composting!

Source: hometowndumpsterrental.com via compassionate on Pinterest

Kitchen Staples

Kitchen Staples
Greens: Spinach Kale Swiss Chard
Keep fresh longer if you clean it {rinsed/patted dry/in a paper bag in the crisper}
Any of these can be substituted for each other.
Beans: Chick Peas/Garbanzo Beans Red Beans Black Beans Pinto Beans
Always rinse if you're using the cans.
Are less expensive when you buy in bulk.
Grains: Quinoa {Is related to the Chard family, but is most associated with this category} Bulgur Wheat Couscous Pearl Barley Rice {Brown/Long Grain/etc.}
Quinoa is a complete protein by itself.
Any of these can be substituted for each other.
Are less expensive when you buy in bulk.
Can be made in a rice maker.
Non-Dairy: Soy {Organic} Almond Coconut Hemp {Great source of omega 3 and 6, always THC Free}
Most of these can be substituted for each other.
Can be found as “ice cream”.
Non-dairy cream cheese {Non-hydrogenated oils}
Soy Yogurt {Organic}
Vegan Mayo
Seeds/Nuts/Dried Fruit: Sun flower Flax Sesame
Flax is another great source of omega 3 {it’s better ground}
Walnuts Cashews Almonds Peanuts
Great source of healthy fats.
Raisins Cranberries Dates Mangos
Mix dried fruit and nuts to make your own trail mix.
Are less expensive when you buy in bulk.
Great as toppings for “ice cream” or soy yogurt.
Veggies: (Fresh/Seasonal) Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Zucchini Bell Peppers Mushrooms {buttons/portabellas}
Wipe clean, and keep fresh in a paper bag in the fridge.
Veggies: (Frozen) Peas Corn {Organic} Green Beans
Fruit: (Fresh) Lemons/Limes {Organic if you are going to use the zest} Apples/Pears {Can be interchanged in the recipes that call for either one}. Bananas