Phone Photo Fun

Why hello!

First, I'd like to put it on the record that 15F is sooooo much nicer than -15F. I think I may have froze my upper eyelids while walking the dogs a couple days ago. Second, I thought today would be a nice day to share some pretty sweet photos with you. This was prompted by the Christmas tree decorating at my Grandpa's, yesterday. You can read more about my Grandpa, here. You want to, trust me.

Produce On ParadeHeh heh, I couldn't resist creating some ridiculous little imagery. 

Okay, first up, this is how Bob watches football. At two different houses, it doesn't matter where he is, this is his football position. Dead beetle style.

Produce On ParadeSecond, here are some lovely photos from our ski last week. You can see more on my Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook page. See the top right side of the blog to connect and keep up on all the Alaskan awesomeness. 

Produce On ParadeAnd now, here are some photos from Grandpa's basement basement. What's a basement basement? Well, there's the basement...and then there's the basement basement. The latter being a straight up sketchy ass place below the regular basement with narrow, terrifying stairs, crushed and broken glass, oddities that were outcast from the kitchen, and enough food to seriously supply a small army. The kind of place you make sure your guests don't know about.

It would be a supreme location for an episode of Fear Factor...or Saw. As a child it was scary as hell. Now, it's a wonderful place (minus the spiderwebs) filled with old-timey treasures from bygone eras! Need a bottle of antibiotics from the 1940s? We got that! Looking for a canned WHOLE chicken from the 1950s? We got that, too! There's also rusted out japanese teapots and a deep freeze full of old caribou meat!

Produce On ParadeAlso, there are these four beauties from my Grandpa's old office. I asked for them for Christmas. I love them. Note the old crazy old snowshoe at the top of the photo. Just one. Where is the other snowshoe? What happened to it? We'll never know...

Produce On ParadeThis is my super sweet, adorable Grandma.When I grow up, I want to be just like her! 

Produce On Parade

This is why I have to take an antihistamine everyday. Or, I could just stop rescuing dogs. Haha, no, I'll take the Zyrtec. I've been trying to master the "petting dogs is okay", but "petting dogs then touching face/eye is not okay".

Produce On Parade

Ew, sorry for that gross picture. This one is much better. Look at these two explorers!Produce On Parade

Well, I hope you enjoyed these little treasures from my phone. Keep in touch for more excitement down the road!

Cheers! Wishing you a crazy and eccentric Holiday season. 

Listening to Lily Allen – Somewhere Only We Know

 

 

 

 

Homemade Vegan Butter

So, I've seen a lot of homemade vegan butter recipes floating, melting, around the web. I figured it was time to hop on that butter churn, or in this case...food processor. Todd and I usually buy Earth Balance, which we love. However, we don't love the palm oil.  The collection of palm oil is destroying the habitats of orangutans, rhinos, tigers and elephants. Even "sustainably sourced" palm oil is pretty questionable. It's in vegan butters as well as that "natural" creamy peanut butter that you don't have to stir. Do I love stirring my natural peanut butter? It's not one of my all-time favorite pastimes, but it does help clear my conscious. Plus, I get a pretty sweet little arm workout for a minute. If you want to learn more about palm oil, it's consequences, and what you can do to avoid it and help (you do), check out this article.

I don't want to be a part of that. There are some things we can control, like purchasing palm oil laden things, and some things we can't. If it means I have to stir my damn peanut butter and briefly inspect the ingredients of what food items I purchase (which I already do anyways), then so be it. It's a small inconvenience. Plus, what's better than creamy homemade butter slathered on fluffy homemade bread...um...nothing, that's what.

This vegan butter has the Todd Seal of Approval, and let me tell you...the man knows his butter. It's also super easy. A vegan butter that involves less forest/animal habitat destruction? Yes, please! Creamy, easy and it's super quick to whip up.

If the orangutans weren't busy running for their lives, they could do it. 

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Homemade Vegan Butter


Homemade Vegan Butter
By

This vegan butter has my husband’s seal of approval, and let me tell you...the man knows his butter. It's also super easy. A vegan butter that involves less forest/animal habitat destruction? Yes, please! Creamy, easy and it's super quick to whip up.

--Note-- I recommend only using soy milk, as it is noted that some other non-dairy milks may have difficulty curdling. Refined coconut oil imparts absolutely no coconut flavor. Unrefined coconut oil, however, will impart a coconut flavor. Liquid lecithin and xanthan gum can be found in the organic or bulk section of most local grocery stores.

Ingredients
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. unsweetened, plain soy milk
  • 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • heaping ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup + 2 Tbsp. refined coconut oil, melted and room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp. canola oil
  • 1 tsp. liquid sunflower or soy lecithin
  • ¼ tsp. xanthan gum
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy milk, apple cider vinegar and salt. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes, until it's thickened and curdled.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil in the microwave at 30 second intervals. It's acceptable to still be partially un-melted, with bits of solid coconut oil. You don't want it to be hot or warm at all. If it is, allow to cool. Measure it melted, not solid.
  3. In a food processor, combine the coconut oil and the canola oil. Add in the remaining ingredients, including the soy milk mixture and processor for about 2 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides occasionally. It will quickly become whipped up, just like creamy butter!
  4. Transfer into a storage container for the fridge (for buttering bread, etc. ), or silicone ice cube trays for the freezer (for baking, etc.)

    5. Prep time:
    Cook time:
    Total time:
    Yield: 1 cup

Save Money!

I buy my lecithin here as it’s not available locally here where I live in Alaska.

More Delicious Basic Recipes

Produce On Parade - Homemade Vegan Butter

Listening to Zee Avi – No Christmas For Me

This recipe is very slightly adapted from the very particular, Vegan Baking.

Creamy Spiced Coconut Lentil Soup

If I ever get to death row...what? It could definitely happen, that's all I'm saying. I'm a pretty irritable person. Anyways, this is the meal I would ask for. No joke.  Try as I might, I can't figure out why it's taken me this long to share my all-time favorite, favorite, favorite recipe! I've even made it several times since I started this blog in April. I've also made it for Todd's family, who lives in Ohio, twice. While visiting, all us kids had to go on a grandadventure for ground cardamom. One of my favorite spices ever, I guess it's just not that hot in Ohio. Instead of buying a bottle for $13 we ended up getting only the amount needed for the soup, from Whole Foods in the bulk section for a quarter. Man, I wish we had a Whole Foods up here in Alaska. Sad face.

In August, coconut milk, spices, and even lemongrass paste were trucked all the way to Turks and Caicos (I still haven't posted any pics! Sorry!) That's 22 hours of flight time from Alaska! Just to make this soup. It's that good. I'd do anything for this soup. Okay? That's the the reality of it. 

I can't say whatexactly it is that I love so much about it. Just all of it. The combination of such aromatic spices, creamy coconut milk and hearty lentils is just...the best damn thing ever. Throw in a little sweet (sugar), a little sour (lemon juice) and some greens of course (kale) and there you have it. The best meal eva.

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Creamy Spiced Coconut Lentil Soup


Creamy Spiced Coconut Lentil Soup
By

This soup is the best thing I've ever eaten. The combination of beautiful aromatic spices like cardamom and cinnamon, creamy coconut milk, and hearty lentils is just perfect. There’s a subtle sweetness, a little zestiness from lemon, and a healthy dose of kale for additional fiber and protein.

Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cup dry red lentils
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • ¾ tsp. ground turmeric
  • ¾ tsp. curry powder
  • ½ tsp. ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
  • sprinkle of crushed red pepper
  • pinch of fresh ground nutmeg
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemongrass paste (or 2 stalks)
  • 1 tsp. fresh ginger paste (or minced ginger)
  • 2 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 15 oz. can of full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ small bunch of kale, de-stemmed and chopped
  • 1 small lemon, juiced
  • 1 Tbsp. vegan sugar
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • coconut flakes, for garnish (optional)
Ingredients
  1. In a large soup pot, combine the lentils and vegetable broth and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and allow to cook for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil over medium-low in a large saute pan. Add in the turmeric, curry, cardamom, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, and nutmeg.
  3. Saute for about one minute, then add in the diced onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are limp. Add in the lemongrass, ginger, thyme, and garlic. Continue to saute for another few minutes, then remove from heat.
  4. Add the coconut milk as well as the cooked onions to the lentil mixture and stir. Now, stir in the chopped kale, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, over low heat, or until the kale is tender.
  5. Serve hot and topped with a liberal amount of chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of coconut flakes!

    6. Prep time:
    Cook time:
    Total time:
    Yield: 6 servings

SAVE MONEY!

I buy my canned coconut milk here.

It’s only $2.20 per can vs $4 per can at my local grocery store Fred Meyer!

More Lentil Soup Recipes

Maybe this will be your new favorite dish, too?

Swaying to Vampire Weekend – Step

This recipe has been adapted many times over. I adapted my verison from Sprouted Kitchen, who adapted it from someone else, who adapted it from a cookbook!