Vegan {Super Spicy} Stir Fry

Hi all!  For those of you who know me in person, you know that I love spicy food.  In this case, I am not talking about food that is just flavorful, though.  I am talking about spicy hot - food that feels like it is burning your tongue out when you eat it because it is so spicy hot!  I.  Love.  Spicy hot!  Another not so secret: I love stir fry's.  This one is one of my faves!  It's Yuuuumy.

You need:

1 large russet potato
1 large carrot
A head of broccoli
1 to 1.5 C rice (you can pick what kind of rice you want to use - brown or white)
1/2 a bottle of House of Tsang Szechuan Sauce (vegan!!!!)

Directions:

Put the rice and water in a pan and cook it while slicing the veggies.  While the rice is cooking, cut the veggies up.  (I cut the potato into slices, then cut the slices into slivers.  Peel carrot, then either peel it into thing slices or chop it up.  Chop broccoli.)  Once the rice is done, put it aside (or put it on a plate) and fill up a pan or wok with the veggies.  Pour the sauce over the veggies and cook until tender.  (Variation: You may cook the veggies with an oil, then pour the sauce over them.  I like to cook the veggies with the sauce, because it gives them a nice flavor.)

Serves: 2 (But truth be told, I usually save this and eat it for two to three meals all by myself!)

Enjoy!

Recipe Books - Veganomicon

I probably don't need an entire blog post to talk about the book Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moscowitz.  But I am doing one anyway.  That's okay!

So, if you've heard of and have this book - awesome!  And if you don't have it, you need to get it.  If you've never heard of it, I am glad to open your eyes, because this book is amazing.

If you've ever passed by this book at a library or bookstore, you've probably noticed that it looks rather big.  Don't be fooled, all that bigness is worth it.  This book is full of crazy good, awesome recipes that every person, whether they are vegan or not, should have at their disposal.  And the way that Isa writes is just awesome!

So, if you are looking for a good book full of great recipes, get out and get this one - you won't regret it.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Some of you may have noticed that I changed the name of this blog from The Thrifty Vegans to The Vegan Life.  Well, here's why.

I like the idea of being able to help people save a little money while being vegan.  But, we all know that there is so much more to the vegan lifestyle than just saving money.  So, I changed the name of this blog in order to better represent everything that comes with being vegan.  I will still talk about money saving tips for vegans, but will also be blogging about shopping tips, holiday feast tips, and so much more.  I hope that you enjoy the vegan journey with me, and if there is ever any topic you would like to see me blog about or any questions you have, please share them!

The V Word

Hi everyone!  It's time for a lesson.  This lesson is not for the vegans.  This is for the people who think they are vegan even though they aren't.  I am sure I am not the only person who has written a blog post about what a vegan is.  And I am sure I won't be the last.  But here it is: my talk about what it is to be a vegan.

Here's the reason for the lesson on what a vegan is: over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of people who say they are vegan, but then say that they eat eggs or wear leather, etc.  I have even heard of people saying they are vegan part time, but then eat meat on the weekends.  But here's the thing - if you are engaging in any of those activities, you are not a vegan.  In the last case, you aren't even a vegetarian.

Let's break down some things:

Vegetarian: A vegetarian is one who doesn't eat meat.  Yes, that includes chicken, fish, turkey and shellfish.  If it was at one point an animal, vegetarians don't eat it.  If you eat eggs, milk or dairy you are still a vegetarian.

Strict vegetarian (also called plant-based diet): A strict vegetarian, or person who follows a plant based diet, does not eat any meat, eggs, dairy, or other animal ingredients in any way shape or form.  Their diet revolves around fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and other plant based foods.  However, they will still use animal products in their clothes, makeup, hair care products and other aspects of daily life.

Vegan: Simply put, a vegan is one who does not eat any animal products and doesn't wear fur or leather or any other item made out of animals.  They use makeup, hair care products and other items that are free from animal products and that are not tested on animals.  Vegans are ethically opposed to the use of animals in the forms of circuses, zoos and other areas where animals are seen as property instead of sentient beings.  Vegans believe that all non-human animals deserve to be treated with love, respect and dignity.


So, if you are reading this post and wondering what a vegan is, hopefully that clears it up.  If not, talk to me.  Ask me questions.  I want to help people learn everything they can about being vegan, and hopefully educate people enough that they wish to transition to veganism.  Because, really, the more vegans there are in the world, the better.

Recipe Share - Guacamole

Hi all!  So, we all know that sometimes buying certain items at the grocery store can cost an arm and a leg.  I balk at how expensive it is to get guacamole.  So, in an effort to help you out with some good, less expensive guacamole, here's a recipe:

1/2 avocado per person (you can use 1 per person of they are small or you just really, really love guacamole.  No judgements ;)
1 lemon
1 clove of garlic
1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper 

Make sure the avocado(s) you are using are ripe.  Mash up the avocados - this can easily be done with a fork.  Squeeze the lemon over the mashed avocado.  Finely chop the garlic and add that.  Add the cayenne pepper and mix it all together.  Enjoy!

You can always add or substitute other items depending on what kind of flavor you want your guacamole to have.

Chickpea Sandwich Recipe

Who loves chickpeas?  I sure do!  If you love chickpeas, you are in for a real treat.  This is my version of a chickpea sandwich I first tasted at a coffee shop in Fargo that I love.  I made it up so that I could eat it whenever I wanted!

This sandwich mix will make three sandwiches, easy.  But let’s be real: if you are anything like me, you’ll want to eat it all yourself!

You need:

1 15 oz can of chickpeas

3 tablespoons of vegenaise

3 tablespoons of mustard

½ teaspoon paprika

Vegan bread

Drain the chickpeas and pour them in a bowl.  Mash them up slightly with a fork, then mix in the vegenaise, mustard and paprika.  You can change the amounts if you’d like, depending on what flavor you want the mix to have.  Once you have it all mixed up, warm it up slightly and scoop some onto some very lightly toasted bread and enjoy! 

Hummus Recipe

You love hummus – admit it!  But, you know that buying hummus at the store can get expensive.  So, here’s a way to make your own and save money.

You will need:

1 15 oz can of chickpeas (organic if you can find it)

1 Lemon

A couple tablespoons of tahini

1 clove of garlic

Drain the chickpeas and pour them in a food processor.  Add two or three tablespoons of tahini and pulse them together.  Squeeze in some lemon juice and add the garlic clove and pulse them into the chickpeas and tahini. 

Additions:

If you want to mix it up, you can add in some other things like cayenne pepper, diced up red pepper or anything else that you love in hummus.

Once it’s done, enjoy!  Since this hummus is fresh, it should be enjoyed within a couple of days as that is when it tastes best.