Breakfast Smoothie Recipe - Oatmeal Plus

Fall back into routine with this creative twist on your bowl of oatmeal! This smoothie takes your plain bowl of oatmeal and raises it to the next level with a healthy boost of protein, essential fatty acids, fiber, and greens, with a delicious sweet taste. Fresh or frozen raspberries boost the antioxidant level, to help you fight whatever the day brings.

• 1 scoop Vega One Natural or other protein powder
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup raw oats (or old-fashioned rolled oats)
• 1/2 cup frozen or fresh raspberries

Blend well and enjoy this fresh start to your day.

[Found at: http://myvega.com/news/2012/breakfast-smoothie-recipe-series?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+Breakfast+Smoothie+Recipe+Series&utm_content=Sept+14+2012+-+Vega+News&utm_campaign=Sept+14+2012+-+Vega+News]

Where to Eat in... Providence

Every so often I would like to feature a brief list of places I've found to eat vegan goodies in various locations. Today, Providence. This is list by no means complete (and I welcome any additions, of course).

Two eateries come to mind immediately when I think of Providence - Nice Slice and Wildflour.

Nice Slice
267 Thayer St
Providence, RI 02906
401.453.6423
www.niceslice.com

Nice Slice is right in the heart of Brown/RISD territory. This pizza joint has no trouble keeping up with the hipster vibe its surrounded by. A funky interior and friendly tattooed crew give this casual eatery a unique feel. Now down to business. This place is great. They have some of the best vegan pizza around... including a personal favorite: BBQ "chicken" pizza. They have 'regular' pizza for your dairy/meat loving friends. They also serve many gluten-free options. A great place to grab a bite to eat before heading off to WaterFire or the indie movie theater across the street. 

The infamous vegan BBQ chicken pizza!

Next on the hit list of vegan culinary temptations is Wildflour, a spiffy little bakery just outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown Providence in Pawtucket. 

Wildflour
727 East Avenue
Pawtucket, RI
401.475.4718
http://www.wildflourveganbakerycafe.com/


This place is a mind blowing spectrum of entirely vegan delights, from decadent to wholesome. They offer a wide selection of fresh juices and loose teas, as well as lovely coffee drinks and skillfully crafted vegan desserts.

While here, I sampled multiple items (for the benefit of the vegan populace...). This included the green tea and ginger cake and a intense peanut butter cup cupcake. Both could not have been better. I was tempted to take the whole place home with me.

Review: The Pulse - Somerville, MA

Have a craving for something not so nuts and berries? Want to indulge in some yummy vegan taste-a-likes? Look no further than Davis Square in Somerville.

The Pulse is a small restaurant with a casual atmosphere. Sometimes busy, sometimes not. But even if there is a line... wait. It really is worth it.

The Pulse Cafe
195 Elm St in Somerville, MA
http://thepulsecafe.com/

The Pulse specializes in diner-style vegan cuisine, from burgers and loaded fries to creamy milkshakes and cheesecake. On the weekends, they offer a vegan brunch. There is usually something gluten-free available for those who need it, and you can customize your meal by switching or adding sides, such as sauteed kale.

During my visit with an omni friend (who throughly enjoyed his experience and would recommend it to vegans and non-vegans alike), we tried a few different items. We started with the loaded fries, which were amazing, if heavy. These are fries with vegan cheese and sour cream and bacon. Decadent to say the least.

Next came a Caesar side salad. Get the regular size and add tofu and this makes a great meal - especially if you have just gorged yourself on loaded fries.

For the main dish, I tried the country fried chicken with roasted potatoes and kale. The "chicken" was astounding, as were the potatoes. The kale was a bit plain, but could easily be spruced up with some soy sauce or some such.

Finally, dessert! I had chocolate mint milkshake made with coconut cream based non-dairy ice cream. This was delicious but left me feeling like I had just consumed a pint on my own. So... moral of the story - leave room.

I have since gone back to The Pulse and I imagine I will continue to do so for as long as it exists.

Recipe: Apple Pie Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
• 1/2 cup vanilla soymilk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 T almond butter
• 1/4 t pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 t ground cinnamon
• 1 T Trader Joe's soy protein powder

Method

Put all ingredients in blender and blend. If you'd like, you could add soy vanilla yogurt for creaminess.

Nutrition

Per serving (about 10oz): 320 calories (106 from fat), 12g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 69mg sodium, 36g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 26g sugar), 19g protein

Weekly Meal Plan: Macrobiotic Part 2

The Weekly Macrobiotic Meal Plan

Breakfast: Brown Rice Porridge with mushrooms and miso
Snack: Mini Banana
Lunch: Polenta & Garbanzo beans in gravy
Snack: Trail Mix or Mini Lara Bar
Dinner: Tempeh sausage, sauteed bok choy, brussel sprouts
Snack: Apple
Beverages: seltzer water with pomegranate juice, twig tea, green tea, mint tea

Overall, this week went fairly well. My cravings for sugar have diminished somewhat. On Wednesday night, I wanted to give myself a 'treat' so I have vegan chicken fingers, maki roll and soy ice cream... and I felt awful after. So, this week no treats quite like that. Maybe I'll try making something out of the Macro book.

Also, good news! I found my copy of Zen macrobiotic cooking.

Weekly Meal Plan: Mostly Macrobiotic (Winter)

Using the "Everything Guide to Macrobiotics" I put together this meal plan for the winter season. I'm branching out in terms of diet to try and kick this funk I have been in.
I have heard many good things about Macrobiotic eating and thought I'd give it a go. The other plus is that the foods are seasonal, so I can go local organic fairly cheap.

Breakfast
Apple-scented Oat and Buckwheat Porridge with Butternut Squash

Snack
Mini-banana

Lunch
Rice and Edamame with Orange Zest
Kale with Carrots and Tahini Sauce
Apple

Snack
Sweet Potato Sticks

Dinner
Tempeh with Gravy and Sauteed Jerusalem Artichokes

Recipe: Apple-scented Oatmeal and Buckwheat Porridge

[Modified From Whole Foods]

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 cup steel-cut oats
1/2 cup buckwheat groats
2 cups pure apple juice
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick

Method

Put oats and groats into a medium pot and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until toasted and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, put juice, water and cinnamon into a small pot and heat over medium heat until hot.

Carefully add hot juice mixture to oats and groats and return to the heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and oats and groats are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove and discard cinnamon, ladle into bowls and serve.

Nutrition

Per serving (about 10oz/283g-wt.): 210 calories (15 from fat), 2g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 43g total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 15g sugar), 6g protein