He/she should have been awarded a nobel prize.

While I adore zucchini noodles in place of spaghetti in dishes such as pesto pasta or  classic italian marinara, or even a raw bolognese sauce, my absolute favourite way to use these   versatile and nutritious noodles is in the form of Raw. Vegan. Pad Thai.

Infinitely fresher, lighter and more nutritious than the traditional thai noodle dish, this raw zucchini noodle pad thai retains the blissful marriages of sweet and spicy, chewy and crunchy, creamy and tangy that make takeout pad thai so dang addictive.

This raw Pad Thai is much too complex in flavour and texture to be mistaken for a salad salad.

…And with a generous addition of edamame and crushed peanuts or cashews, this zucchini noodle dish is magically transformed into a nutritionally balanced main dish for a funky summery meal. And there’s always the option of topping it with some asian-inspired tofu cubes for additional protein… heaven.

But what I must inform you about this fantastic recipe is that, well, I really don’t follow an exact recipe.  I spiralize a TON of zucchini, as once the noodles are dressed they loose water and become smaller. Then I raid my fridge for additional veggies for a pop of colour: this time I came up with red and orange peppers, curly kale, green and purple onions, and carrots. Then I put it all into my new philips avance collection.  Other great additions would be romaine lettuce or some other kind of crispy green,  any kind of mushroom, and crisp bean sprouts.

Then comes the satisfying crunch components:  I used edamame and crushed cashews, although peanuts would’ve been a bit more authentic.

Today I sauteed some  asian marinated tofu and tossed it into the left over salad. If you have the time or inkling to do this extra step it is highly recommended.  Except it won’t be a strictly raw pad thai anymore.   But it shall still be vegan, GF, nutritious and freakin’ delicious !

Then I raid my cookbook collection and pantry to inspire the perfect thai dressing.  This time I opened up Angela Liddon’s Oh She Glows and found a Asian Empowered noodle bowl recipe  with two asian inspired dressing options: Thai peanut and sesame orange ginger.  Ever indecisive, I combined  them, adding in a couple ingredients that are also integral in classic Pad Thai sauce.  

The main elements of this Sweet tangy and creamy pad thai sauce rendition:

• sesame oil
• soft tofu
• garlic
• ginger
• tahini paste
• bown miso
• lime juice
• orange juice
• sirracha
• Low sodium tamari
• agave nectar
• tamarind (optional)
• tomato slices

While I’ve found a lot of vegan pad thai recipes that call for ketchup, I REFUSE to mar the authenticity of the dish with sugary mass marketed confections.  WIth the combination of acidic lime, ripe tomato slices, and a hint of agave for sweetness, the need for ketchup is eliminated.

We’ve broken it down into categories to give you a clear and straightforward guide on what vegans eat. You’ll gain ideas and a whole new appreciation for a diet that’s healthy, versatile and delicious!

For a comprehensive amount of Vegan Breakfast and general vegan recipes, these books are essential, I’ve honestly found some of them simply life changing:
Clean & Lean 8-week Fat Loss and
Total Body Fitness Makeover, 20 Amazing Raw Vegan Kale Chip Recipes and The 20 Most Delicious Vegan Cookie Recipes Ever!

Fruit Smoothies & Shakes
Fresh smoothies are a great way to get a lot of servings of vegetables and fruits for vegans! Since vegans don’t eat animal protein, adding vegan protein powder to a smoothie is a great option. A blender or a juicer is a great investment for a vegan to make because of the unlimited amount of options you can make.

Non-Dairy Milks
Since vegans don’t drink cow’s milk, they turn to nut and soy if they want to drink milk. There is a variety of non-dairy milks available including soy, almond, walnut and more! Non-dairy milks are extremely healthy, full of flavor and are extremely versatile. You can either buy these in the store or make nut milks in a blender.

At the start of my vegan lifestyle decision, I wanted a cheap juicer/blender and I found this to be perfect, it is #1 in Jug blenders.

Beans and Lentils
A major staple in a vegan diet is beans and lentils. Since meat is not an option, black beans and lentils are a versatile and filling option to a variety of meals. Black beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, and green lentils are popular, full of fiber and easy to make vegan options. Beans and lentils are great as a side dish or an addition to a salad.

Meat Substitutes
Some people find it difficult to live without the texture and taste of meat, and that’s where vegan meat substitutes come into play. There are a wide variety of meat substitutes on the market from chicken, turkey, hamburgers and more! Meat substitutes are made with a variety of ingredients including soy, gluten, black beans, etc. Experiment with different kinds of faux meats and you are sure to find something you love that reminds you of your favorite meat!

Whole Grains
Whole grains are another staple for vegan diets. Vegans enjoy healthy whole grains like rice, barley, millet, oats, rye, wheat and more. Whole grains are full of vitamins and minerals and a great addition to any diet.

Fruits and Vegetables
Vegans tend to eat much more of a variety of fruits and vegetables than meat eaters. In addition to fruit and vegetable staples like apples, bananas and so on, vegans branch off into exotic fruits like papayas, mulberries, goji berries and more!

Quinoa
Quinoa has gained enormous popularity recently and for good reason! Quinoa is a seed that’s used like a grain. It’s packed with complete protein, has essential vitamins and minerals and eight essential amino acids. Quinoa is gluten-free and is a great base for meals, an addition to salads, or a side dish. Grains Whole wheat, rye, oats, brown rice and millet are a staple in the usual vegan diet.

Seitan, Tofu & Tempeh
Tasty, healthy and filling additions to lunch or dinner for vegans are tofu, seitan and tempeh. Tofu is made from soybeans, seitan is wheat gluten and tempeh is made from fermented soy. They all offer a different kind of flavor and texture and can be cooked plain or marinated in a sauce of your choice. Tofu, seitan and tempeh are extremely versatile and can be added to stir fry, salads and many other meals.

Pancakes – a classic breakfast option that vegans may find difficult to go without.

Pancakes – a classic breakfast option that vegans may find difficult to go without. Many restaurants use dairy in their pancakes, but it’s very easy (and tastes even better!) when you use all vegan ingredients. This Vegan Blueberry & Banana Pancake recipe is decadent, filling, savory and easy to make! Breakfast has never been so healthy and delicious.

To Die For Vegan Blueberry & Banana Pancakes

Ingredients

▪ 3 tablespoons melted vegan butter

▪ 1 cup of blueberries

▪ 1 banana (mash this)

▪ 1 1/2 cup almond milk

▪ 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate

▪ 1 tablespoon cornstarch

▪ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

▪ 2 tablespoons sugar

▪ Pinch of salt

▪ 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

▪ 1 tablespoon baking powder

Directions:
Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together melted margarine, vanilla, mashed banana, sugar, orange juice concentrate and almond milk. Turn on your stove to medium heat. Now, add remaining dry ingredients (salt, flour, cornstarch, and baking powder) and whisk together until a smooth batter develops.

Step 2: Spray pan or griddle with cooking spray, then measure ¼ cup of batter on the pan.

Step 3: Add blueberries with caution to each batter portion, approximately 6-8 blueberries on each. Flip the pancake when the edges start to become dry and the batter is slightly bubbling.

Step 4: Serve pancakes with real maple syrup. Add sliced bananas, more blueberries and walnuts if desired.

First stop was Trader Joes.  I got brown rice spaghetti, brown rice, frozen veggies, corn tortillas, bananas, cereal, and salsa.

Next up was Whole Foods.  I mostly went there to get more Daiya.  My husband eats it more than I do but I always add a little to my lentil tacos.  I also got black beans and tofu.  Got the tofu there because I forgot to get it at TJs.

Last was Vons, our local grocery store.  I went there to buy the tortillas my oldest son likes.  They are the Tortilland Tortillas but unfortunately, they were out.  I did get some almond milk, lentils, and a package of Wholly Guacamole.  Yeah, yeah, I know.  I prefer to buy fresh avocados but I had a coupon for this and sometimes these little packets (it comes with 3 individual ones for 100 calories a piece) are nice to have in the fridge.  The taste is nowhere as good as a fresh avocado or making your own guacamole but eh, they are alright once in a while.

I also stopped by a little local place for some sweet potato fries.  They usually are more thicker but this time were cut so thin, they were more chip like.  Still delicious!

And then, in the crisping sun, we continue on to what sounds like the world’s largest flushing toilet: Spotlight Cave!

Thankfully, it did not smell like a toilet!

Apparently this is an amazing place to scuba dive — especially around noon.  The sunlight will stream down this opening to the waters below, creating an ethereal glow, with the rippling waters sparkling all around in a magical dance with the diver.

Sadly, I am not (yet!) a diver, so we did not get to see this first hand.  But Mark is, and he has some pictures from a previous dive, which you can see here!  Maybe one day, I will be able to share my own photos of this experience.

For now, Patrick and I had to be content with some squeezing…

Down he goes!  Through a little side tunnel, and I follow till we pop out near the water.  And see Mark still above. Patrick and I enjoy the cool shade of the crevice, then decide it’s time to head back — we have a (pseudo) cave at Hidden Beach to go explore!  We hop in the car, drive to the the trailhead, and hike on down to the beach.  Saying “ni hao” to a few tourists as we pass, we go off the beaten path once again and find the rocky tunnels to the north of the beach.

The rushing water outside the cave causes a reverberating growl to sound from some opening that we cannot find.  It is an odd combination of dragon growl, and hissing air.  But I love the spot.  If I ever disappear, I’ve probably gone here: cool cave with sunlight streaming in, the beautiful sound of water lapping and waves crashing, and people watching!!  Unbeknownst to them, Mark and I sit at this opening, looking out at the charming tourist who have no idea we are watching their show…

We hear their laughter and screams of delight as they wade out to a flat rock surface in the water, and get doused with walls of water that slam against the side of the rocks.

After enjoying the views for a while, we go wading as well, take our own touristy pictures, then call it a sun-burnt day.

Vegan Chocolate Cake: they’ll never guess it’s vegan!

Ingredients

3
cups all-purpose flour

2/3
cups cocoa powder

2/3
cups melted coconut oil

2
teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2
cups sugar

2
teaspoons baking soda

3/4
teaspoons salt

2
tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2
cups of non-dairy milk (rice almond or soy)

1. Preheat your oven to 180° C.
2. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Place these dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the apple cider vinegar to the milk and beat until frothy. Whisk in the vanilla, sugar and oil.
4. Add about a third of the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix them together. Add another third, keep mixing and then add the final third. When ingredients are all in, stop mixing.
5. Pour the cake batter into two round, 8 or 9-inch cake pans that have been greased with coconut oil or vegan butter. Bake for 25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake is clean). Allow the cakes to cook completely.
6. If you desire a frosted cake, frost with a non-dairy frosting!

I have been making lots of really simple meals like this one.  It’s mashed potatoes and green beans with some hummus.  The potatoes and green beans are from my last CSA basket which unfortunately I didn’t get a pic of.  The basket arrived as we were about to leave for a dr appt so I shoved it into the fridge put everything away quickly and meant to take a pic later but it didn’t happen.  The simple meals are inspired by Cathy Fisher.  Mine are not as cool as hers but I want to eat more like a lot of the pics she posts on facebook all the time.

Here’s another similar one I made with mashed red potatoes, green beans, and heirloom tomato slices.

I made this one morning for breafast and it was just ok.  It’s soy yogurt with mashed banana and some flax meal.  It tasted fine, just nothing exciting.

Brown rice noodles with veggies and tofu.  This has become a definite favorite around here.  I used the lefover tofu the next day and added it to brown rice, veggies, and avocado.  This makes me want more of that tofu right now, so good!
This was a one of those thrown together meals when groceries were getting low in the house.  It’s brown rice pasta with spagetti sauce and tvp. Also made a watermelon smoothie.  It’s just watermelon blended with ice.  My youngest son won’t eat watermelon by itself but he loves the juice so he really likes these.

We also went to Loving Hut where I tried their Wonton Soup that I have been wanting to try for a while. The flavor of the soup was really good as well as the veggies but the wontons were just so so to me.  I enjoyed it, I just think I like some of the other items on their menu better. I also tried one of their Pina Coladas and that was really good!  You can almost see my oldest kiddo playing with his train in the background.  🙂

Lastly, I have a grocery haul from yesterday.  We went to Trader Joes and I picked up a few things from Sprouts.  From TJs, I got tofu, corn tortillas, pecans, spinach, mushrooms, sunflower butter, brown rice spaghetti, and a couple fruit leathers.  At Spouts, I picked up avocados, hummus, vegan greek yogurt, and brown rice crackers.