A Lovely Birthday!

What if it's like we are on a transatlantic flight where we are all passengers and are told to wait and just be patient. So we do, and when we land on the other side, it's over?
That was on my mind this morning, my second day as a 36 year old woman.
Wonderful dinner last night at The Pearl with Mary. The chef/owner created a vegan entree special for us - it was delicious.
Mom sent a beautiful orchid and I felt quite blessed with all the birthday wishes I received!

Fettuccine No-Fredo with Broccoli and Sautéed Mushrooms

Recipe here: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/04/fettuccine-no-fredo-with-broccoli-and.html
I've been a little hesitant to try this recipe because it seemed a bit on the "dull" side. Not in the least - quite an amazing alternative to the high-fat, non-vegan stuff. The cauliflower sauce is delicious!

Asparagus Mushroom Tomato Onion Pizza

With secret sauce recipe, onions carmelized in red wine and homemade crust....

Unidentified Plants

These are very weird looking plants that are cropping up all over my backyard.

New Sunlit Property

Wendy - These are some pictures for you.....

April 20th Celebration!

fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/042010/04192010/541737
fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/042010/04212010/542396

Chickpea Cutlets

I've been meaning to try this recipe from "Veganomicon" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero for quite a while. I did use the baked version rather than frying (375 for 20 minutes, flip, bake additional 10) - came out great! And way easy!

Plant Update

Some pics of lettuce, peppers, radishes, sugar snap peas and tomato

"Expectations are premeditated resentments"

How very true! Isn't it better to approach every day and every situation fresh and open to whatever happens? How many times have we all gotten upset with those closest to us because they didn't do or act in a way that we "expected"? Much less stressful to accept what comes and go with the flow and concentrate those energies on things that really need to be changed. (Thanks for sharing this quote Margot!!! Very apt!)

Inspired

Costa Rican-Style Spinach, Potatoes, & Black Beans

Another one from the "Supermarket Vegan" by Donna Klein (all of her recipes can easily be made without the oil - used sherry to saute the onions rather than olive oil). It was delicious and easy.

Pieces O' Pizza

Since I was in the Va Beach area last weekend with flying back to Norfolk, I decided to swing by The Heritage (vegan provisions) and Trader Joe's (cheap wine). At TJ's, I found refrigerated pizza dough for 99 cents! The expiration date was 4/8/10, so this required me to use it yesterday. (The dough was quite sticky, but cornmeal and patience won). Same toppings as always minus the shitake shrooms.

Coconut-Curried Lentils with Basmati Rice

This recipe came from Donna Klein's new cookbook - "Supermarket Vegan - 225 Meat-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free recipes for real people in the real world" I am thoroughly enjoying this cookbook. I made this meal with ingredients straight from my pantry, and it was seriously tasty.

Pizzas For Wendy, Shelby, Margot & Rudy

This was my "usual" - "pepperoni", tomato, shittake, green pepper, onion with tofu-based sauce.

Shelby's Regatta - St. Louis Sprints

Dinner at the Shangri La in St. Louis, Missouri

Wonderful dinner Friday night at this downtown establishment : The Shangri La Diner
I had the African Spinach Stew, Wendy & Shelby had the Vegan Gyro and Margot had the Decadent Grilled Cheese.