Veggin' Out in the Kitchen
  • Home
  • About me
  • Contact
  • Recipes!

Past + Future = Present

01/06/2012

12 Comments

 
Hello!  Originally, I wasn't going to write a 2011 recap post.  But then, I thought it would be nice to remember what 2011 meant for me and what I learned from it. 

Here's what stands out for me from 2011:
  • Traveling to Greece, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and Newfoundland.  It wasn't the first time I had travelled internationally, but it was at an age where I could really appreciate the different cultures and ways of life.  I set foot in places I had thought only existed in pictures and explored places that I had never known existed in any form.  It was one of the most enriching experiences in my life so far.
  • Created and posted over 50 recipes.  I didn't know it was so many, but I got very excited when I counted them!  Posting recipes began as the driving force behind this blog, and that force remains.  I wanted to show -- through my recipes -- that eating healthy can be fun and delicious.  I hope to exceed 50 recipe postings in 2012.
  • Completed my hardest semester of school yet, mostly in the form of a single class -- AP Composition and Literature.  The key here is "completed."  It may have been difficult, but I made it through and thus I am stronger that I was before I took it.  I now feel like I can tackle any obstacle at any level, and believe me, after that class I really can! :P
  • Competed in a horse show with my best buddy (my horse, Tonto).  We had a rocky start, but came out on top when we won our western class.  Together, we rode over the hills and valleys that presented themselves, and, as a result, that show became one of the most memorable ones yet.
  • Continued to raise money for animal charity through my earring business.  I came up with new designs and created a nice display.  I don't know exactly how much money I raised, but all the money this year went to a whale research and rescue foundation so I do know that I helped whales at some level.
  • Continued to realize what a wonderful family I have.  They're so supportive and loving and really the best family I could ever hope for.  I am truly blessed.

Of course, there were many more events that took place, ones that mean just as much to me, but the above list would be way too long if I listed all of them.  I'd rather pick a few and really remember what they meant than list 50 and remember them only vaguely (though there are other ones on another list).

So, what's in store for me in 2012?
  • Finish high school and start college.  Next semester won't be easy either, but I'm ready to take it and conquer it.  I don't know where I'm going to college yet, but all the colleges I applied to are out of state, so I'm excited to explore a new part of the country.   And I'm ready to take the next step of my life!
  • Continue to enjoy my horse.  My experience with my horse does not end when I go to college -- he's coming with me!  I plan to compete on an equestrian team if my college has one; if not, I'll continue to ride just for fun!
  • Travel to Italy or Australia.  Neither of those places are set in stone, but I really want to do more traveling this summer.  My goal is to visit all seven continents and as many countries as I can before I die -- and I will complete that goal. :)
  • Continue to raise money for animal charity.  I'm really excited with some new designs I'm working on, and I want to expand my business.
  • Proceed with Veggin' Out.  Like I said earlier, my goal for Veggin' Out this year is to post over 50 recipes.  That will begin with my next post!
  • Live life.  Obviously, not at the expense of anything, but I don't want to get too caught up in certain aspects that I forget about others.  I'm about to go to college, and I never want to look back and wish I had done more of something.  In other words:  cease every opportunity!
Now that I've written this post, I'm very glad I did so!  I think it's important to reflect on the past and think about the future so that you have an idea of where you want to take your life.  I don't believe in planning everything in your life, but I think it's important to learn from the past and know what you want to accomplish.

I hope everyone is enjoying their own lives!  See you next time with the beginning of my 50 recipe challenge! 
12 Comments
 

Happy New Year!

01/01/2011

5 Comments

 
Well, it's officially 2011!
I decided to start of the new year with something green and healthy (By the way, does anyone know how to flip pictures?  I had a much prettier picture of my smoothie, but I couldn't make it strait.  Any help is greatly appreciated! :) :
Picture
Ya, not the brightest idea I've ever had.  I would tell you what's in it, but I do NOT want any body else to experience the discomfort of trying to drink that "thing" pictured above.  Let's just say if 2011 turns out to be anything like that smoothie, it's going to be one bad, ugly year.
On to the better stuff...... as of yesterday, I have coconut butter (sorry for the lack of picture; I still can't figure out the flip thing)!!!  My dad got it for me yesterday when we are at Whole Foods, so I would like to say: Thanks dad!  I love it and you!  
Now, calling all coconut and carob lovers.  I know of something you guys need to make asap:


Coconut-Carob Cups!

All you need is the following ingredients:
Picture
The first step is not melt some carob chips, spread them into a small muffin cup (mine was mini!!!!), and stick it in the freezer.  It should come out looking something like this:
Picture
Now the coconut butter comes into play.  Just melt some, pour it into the carob cup, and back into the freezer it goes.  This time, it should come out looking like this:
Picture
Next, melt some more carob chips and attempt to spread them on top.  Expect the coconut butter to start melting from the warmth of the carob chips and to leave you a marbled affect that might look something like this:
Picture
Not the traditional look but still kind of cool, right?  Unwrap and.......... devour!!! 


Tomorrow, I'm going to post about last night's feast, but I just couldn't go a day without telling everyone about the coconut-carob cups - they're so good (again, only if you like carob; if not, time to break out that chocolate!).  And, if you don't like coconut, make carob-peanut butter (or any nut butter really) cups! I made the peanut version yesterday, and they were delicious too!


The daily question: How was your New Year's Eve?  Did you stay up long enough to welcome the new year?
I don't think I ever have, and this year was no exception (ya, I'm boring).  But I did stay up till about nine!  That's pretty good for a girl who is usually in bed between seven and eight (I need my beauty rest :)
5 Comments
 

Feeling Lucky

12/31/2010

6 Comments

 
Happy last day of 2010 to everyone!  I don't know about you, but this year literally flew by for me!  It was Valentines' then summer break then Halloween then Christmas and now it's all over and time to welcome a new year.


I've never really made any "lucky" food for new year's before, but this year I decided to try some black-eyed peas (poor little fellas - it sounds like they got beaten up :( .  I wasn't sure if they would turn out if I tried to cook dried peas (then they probably really would be beaten up ;), so I was super lazy and bought canned ones.  Perhaps some day I'll give the dried version a go, but not this year........


Lucky Black-eyed Pea Salad
Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 large tomato, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 packed cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 heaping teaspoon ground cumin
Sea salt/freshly ground black pepper, to taste (I didn't need to add any salt)
1/2 lemon, juiced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon agave nectar

Directions:
Simply combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Allow to sit for as long as possible before serving in order to allow for the flavors to combine.

Here's what you're going to need:
Picture
Everything in the bowl and time to employ a bit o' arm power:
Picture
All done and ready to sit (oops, I think I missed that last part as I started devouring it as soon as the last stir was stirred)!
Picture
I'm sure that black-eyed peas is a myth, but I'm not going to spoil the fun.  Let's just say I felt lucky while eating my lunch yesterday.
Picture
Now, I had originally planned on saving the salad to eat for today, but I just couldn't resist. The avocado made the salad creamy, the agave made it slightly sweet, and everything else just made it delicious!  Between my mom and I, we nearly polished it all off by yesterday evening (perhaps it really serves two?).  But that's okay.  We just got our luck a little early, right?


And, for all the carob lovers out there, you must try this!
Picture
One cooked sweet potato chopped up a bit, spread with a bit of coconut oil, and sprinkled with carob chips.  Truly divine (if you like carob chips, that is; if not then try it with chocolate chips as chocolate never disappoints).


The daily question: Do you have any New Year's plans?
My mom and I are making tamales tonight, and we're going to church tomorrow.  But, other than that, we have nothing planned.  I hope this New Year will find everyone doing well and enjoying lots of yummy foods!
6 Comments
 
    Picture

    Hi!

    I'm just a [not so] average teenager trying to live a healthful life full of fun and delicious foods!  I hope to inspire others to do the same along the way.

    Archives

    August 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

    Categories

    All
    Avocado
    Avocados
    Awards
    Baking
    Bananas
    Bell Pepper
    Black Beans
    Black Eyed Peas
    Blueberries
    Body Butter
    Bread
    Breakfast
    Cake
    Carob
    Cheese
    Chickpeas
    Chocolate
    Christmas
    Cilantro
    Coconut
    Corn
    Denmark
    Donuts
    Eggs
    First Post
    Frozen Yogurt
    Garlic
    Gingerbread
    Goat Cheese
    Greece
    Lemon
    Main Meal
    Mushrooms
    New Years
    Nut Butter
    Oatmeal
    Oats
    Pancakes
    Pasta
    Peanut Butter
    Pesto
    Pizza
    Pumpkin
    Quesadilla
    Restaurants
    Reviews
    Rice
    Salads
    Sandwiches
    Seitan
    Smoothies
    Southwester
    Spinach
    Sun Dried Tomatoes
    Sweet Potatoes
    Tamales
    Thanksgiving
    Travel
    Tutorials
    Waffles
    Wiaw
    Workouts

    RSS Feed


Web Hosting by iPage