7 Things I'm Loving Lately

Hey there! Guess what? Todd and I are moving! Yep, we straightup decided to move. It was a very quick decision that had been brewing for quite some time. We gave our landlord 10 days, so we'll be super busy moving all week. Unfortunately, it's my regret to inform you that there may not be many posts this week. I feel your pain.  However, I've had a couple drafts saved up for a rainy day like a good blogger should, so here's a peek at a few things I've been kind of obsessed with lately. I feel lucky to have these 7 wonderful products in my life, so I thought I'd share!

Produce On Parade - 7 Things I've Been Loving Lately

Some affiliate links below. 

Flamous Original Falafel Chips 

You guys...these chips are amazing. They are falafel, but in chip form! Hippie vegans unite! As far as chips go they are super nutritious, very filling and highly addictive. No joke, sometimes I just have half a bag for lunch. They're kept hidden in my car so I semi-forget about them, but when I do remember it's like a super special treat and I eat half the bag, get full and don't cook dinner. Click below to get yourself some. I find them at Fred Meyer and Amazon.

 

Athleta Andalé Pant

OMG...These. Pants. Are. Amazzzing. Honestly, these are the pants dreams are made of. Yea, they're kind of expensive if you want five pairs like me...I only have one, but that might change soon. I got them on our East Coast trip and haven't taken them off since...except to wash, I'm not that gross. They are sooo super comfortable. I actually wear them to work and of course they can be used for yoga as well, or any exercise really. Dress 'em up or dress 'em down, they can also be capris or full-on pants. Surprisingly, they are incredibly slimming. I am wearing them right now, truly. 

Source: Athleta

Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Snacks for Dogs, Just Vegg'N

So, I can't say I've actually tried these myself but...Bob really loves them. I bought him Old Mother Hubbard snacks when we were non-vegans and now that we've made the switch I absolutely had to find out if they offered completely vegan ones and low and behold, they do! I almost died with excitement. I buy mine from Amazon. They come in different sizes, too!  

prAna Men's Sutra Pant

I got Todd these Yoga pants for Christmas and the man loves them. He uses them for yoga mostly but I think they look great out and about. I wish Prana made a women's version. I'd just wear them out on the town, cuz that's how I roll. 

Tea Forte KATI Cup

I have a confession. I might hoard these. First discovered at a Whole Foods in Ohio, I was lured by the name because I too am a Katie. Since we don't have any WF stores up here in Alaska, I order mine from Amazon. Over the course of a year or two I may have ordered six (or more, I lost count). Not all for me though, geeze! I only have three. Obviously, that is a perfectly acceptable number of tea cups to own. I really love how fine the mesh strainer is. There's a very naughty caramel Rooibos tea I have that's always trying to sneak through my tea strainers. This one keeps it mostly out. Also, they have the cutest patterns.  

DeVita absolutely Blushed - Pink Opal Blusher

I requested and received this sample to try out and I absolutely love it (get it?). No really. I've been using NARS Orgasm blush since before I went vegan and was going to order a new one but learned that they test on animals. Wah, wahhhh. I was scouting a vegan one when I found DeVita. My search for a cruelty-free, vegan, no weird chemicals blush is over. Hallelujah! I don't know what it is about this blush, it's like it was custom made for me or something. It looks so natural, I love it even more than my NARS one, which is supposed to be the Holy Grail of blushes. That's all I'll say now because pretty soon you'll see a review of this blush along with a BB cream! 

Source: Devita

Talisman Designs Get Real Solid Beechwood Measuring Spoons

My little brother got me these off my Christmas wish list. They are so adorable. I just love, love, love them! Everytime I use them they always make me smile. Also, they come in different designs and have matching mixing/serving spoons, salad servers, knives, forks, etc. I also have a mixing spoon that I got a couple years ago for our wedding. I adore the little hedgehog, he's my favorite. 

 

Well, that's all for now. I hope you had fun looking at some items that bring Todd, Bob, and myself great joy. Cheers!

I am an Amazon Affiliate. All opinions are my own.t

Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

Do you ever feel fancy pants? Sometimes I do. Like if I go to the grocery store wearing something besides scrubs. If I rent a foreign film or wear shoes out other than boots or garden clogs. Brandishing a statement necklace (I have but one and you can bet I brandish it). Sometimes classy food can make me feel pretty snooty too.  Today's recipe is one classy dish indeed and definitely raised the stylish-food bar in our home. If you're in the need to impress guests or just want to sophisticate your palate (mine is très sophistiqué...okay, maybe not), then this is the perfect dinner for you. Honestly though, it's pretty good on a Friday night in yoga pants too. 

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

Sweet sage cashew cream blends with silky polenta as a fluffy bed for perfectly caramelized balsamic onions and portobello mushrooms.

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos 

Serves 3

  • Onions & Portobellos:
  • 1 Tbsp. vegan butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 large portobello cap, halved and sliced
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • Cashew Cream:
  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked
  • 1/4 cup water 
  • 3 fresh sage leaves (1 Tbsp. chopped)
  • 1/2 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • pinch of salt
  • Polenta:
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup dry polenta
  • pinch of salt

Notes: Careful not to let the onions burn while caramelizing. Low heat is required, don't try to rush it. It should take about 30-40 minutes. 

Begin by soaking the 1 cup of cashews in fresh water (enough to cover) in a medium bowl.

To cook the onion and mushroom, melt the butter in a large frying pan or cast iron pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and saute for about 10 minutes, then add the portobello. Saute for an additional 20-30 minutes, until the onions are significantly shrunken and the onions have caramelized to a dark brown. Brown bits will accumulate on the bottom of the pan (this is called "fond"), but when the pan is deglazed it will come right off. However, if think it be starting to burn remove the pan from heat. Caramelizing takes a long time, so don't rush it. 

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

When they appear caramelized, stir in a pinch of salt and black pepper. Deglaze the pan with the balsamic vinegar, scraping up the fond. 

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

Meanwhile, drain and rinse the cashews then add them to a blender. Add in the remaining cashew cream ingredients. Blend on high until very smooth and set aside.

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

In a large saucepan, bring the water for the polenta to a boil over high heat. Add in the polenta while stirring as well as a pinch of salt. Continue to stir very often until smooth and all the water has evaporated, about 10 minutes. 

Add the cashew cream to the polenta and stir well to incorporate until clump-free. 

Serve hot as a bed of polenta, topped with the caramelized onions and portobellos.

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

Garnish with fresh sage. 

Produce On Parade - Creamy Sage Polenta + Caramelized Onions and Portobellos

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German Word of The Day: Mushroom --> Pilz (pronounced: pills)

Good Deed of The Day: Today, I encourage you to simply wish yourself well, wish yourself happiness, and wish yourself free from suffering. That 's what I learned in my meditation today!

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