Maple Peanut Soba Salad with Edamame & Apples

This is what's born when vegans have no vegetables in the house. Creativity! The great produce purge of 2014 was a purposeful one of course. But we got back from vacation over a week ago. The only reason we even had these apples was because Todd's mother lovingly packed up six honeycrisps which he gently toted all the way back to Alaska from Ohio in his carry-on. The edamame are those frozen packs from Costco, I always have them on hand.

Soba and peanut butter are a natural combination and apples and peanut butter go together beautifully. Edamame goes with soba and voila! 

“I don’t feel superior because I am vegan. The truth is I am vegan because I don’t feel superior to others.”

— Michele McCowan

A quick and simple peanut butter soba noodle salad studded with vibrant edamame and crisp apples. Sweetened with maple syrup, with an Asian flare. 

Maple Peanut Soba Salad with Edamame & Apples

Recipe by Katie @ Produce On Parade

A quick and simple peanut butter soba noodle salad studded with vibrant edamame and crisp apples. Sweetened with maple syrup, with an Asian flare.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 cup water (adjust according to desired thickness)
• 9 oz. package of soba noodles, dry
• 9 oz. frozen package of edamame, shelled or 1/2 cup soybeans
• 1 medium apple (I like Honeycrisp), julienned
• dash sesame seeds (for garnish)

Cooking Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil for the noodles.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together the peanut butter through and including the water. Add additional water as needed for it to have the consistency of an alfredo sauce. Taste and add additional soy sauce and/or syrup to your preference.
3. Microwave the frozen edamame according to package and when cool enough, shell and place in large bowl. Discard the pods, or feed them to your dog like I do.
4. Core and julienne the apple. Add to the soybeans.
5. Cook the soba noodles according to package, usually they only require 4 minutes to boil. Drain and add to the apples and soybeans. Pour the sauce over the noodles and mix very well to combine.
6. Serve warm and topped with a dash of sesame seeds.

Dutch Word of The Day

Kind --> aardig (are-digch)

Good Deed of The Day

November is World Vegan Month! Here, from the Huffington Post, is "A Countdown to Kindness: A Reminder for Each Day of World Vegan Month." You'll definitely want to read it!

Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog

Happy Halloween! I'm all dressed up, and be sure to check out social media later to see what I am. Don't forget to let me know what you're dressing up as!

It's time to do the eggnog dance. Oh yes. You might be thinking, "Eggnog? It's technically not even November yet!?" and to that I say, "If you add pumpkin, anything is game for October." Hence, the eggnog, which I was badly craving ever since I saw the organic cow milk egg nog at the store. 

I inquired about the non-dairy stuff and the stocker told me they only get a few cartons here and there. Boo that. Sometimes I forget I can just make the stuff (1000x better too) at home! So yesterday I decided to make me some! Except, I was out of cashews...drat! I wasn't about to let that stop me though. Macadamia nuts swooped in to the rescue, but I recommend using cashews. This recipe is adapted from my most delicious eggnog recipe. 

“If you want to find happiness, find gratitude.”

— Steve Maraboli

A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is! 

Spiced Pumpkin "Eggnog"

Recipe by Katie @ Produce On Parade

A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is! NOTES: Due to the whole-food ingredients, please consume within a of couple days. The rum is barely, barely noticeable in this eggnog, so adjust accordingly. Please use freshly ground nutmeg, it makes a world of difference!

Yield: 10-15 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 2 cups fresh cold water
• 1 15oz. can full-fat coconut milk
• half of 1 15 0z. can pumpkin puree
• 6 medjool dates, pitted
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp. spiced rum (optional)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves

Cooking Directions

1. Cover the cashews in boiling water and allow to soak for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile place all remaining ingredients into the blender. Once the cashews are done soaking, drain and add to blender.
3. Blend on high for several minutes, until smooth and creamy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Bob tells me he loooves eggnog and to please share my glass with him right meow. 

Dutch Word of The Day: 

Pumpkin --> pompoen (pom-poon)

Good Deed of The Day:

Did you know Target now has their own line of veggie-based meat products! Yes! They have a few different types: Mushroom Miso Meatless Turkey, Korean Barbecue Meatless Chicken, Smoky Chipotle Meatless Chicken, and Teriyaki Meatless Chicken. Target also carries Just Mayo. Who knew!? Spread the word! 

Vital Vegan-Friendly Winter Gear - Alaskan Edition

Oh Alaska, you frigid friend you. Most people despise winter because they can't bear the cold and get out and play. Not me. With the right winter gear, Alaska's backcountry is my playground and I'm never too chilly for a playdate. 

Skoop Original Insulated Skirt

Life without my down (synthetic!) skirt during the winters here would be unimaginable. I have three Skoop Skirts, a mini, a knee-length, and a floor-length. I also have a different pink mini, too.

Throw the mini on with leggings and boots and prance your little fashioned bum all over town...or just to the grocery store. The ankle length I actually use for backcountry skiing when it's super cold out and the floor length one is just for milling about. It's the one I use the most as I wear it everyday back and forth to work over my scrub bottoms (they are terribly breezy) and out when I walk Bob. 

I bought mine at REI , but they are also available or on the Skoop website. A friend told me the company was started by a doctor's Scandinavian wife, here in Anchorage. 

VEGAN! -  Some skirts are made with goose feathers (down), so be sure yours is made with synthetic (sometimes they just call it "insulation" as opposed to "down", or Primaloft is a common synthetic.)

Image from REI.com

Bogs Classic High Snow Boots 

Are Bogs as big in other wintery states as they are in Alaska? They are huge! I only just recently jumped on the bandwagon and I am loving every warm-footed second of wearing them! The classic ones are rated to -40 F, but they make garden clogs and rainboots as well. I ordered mine a little big so I could wear huge fluffy socks with them. 

I bought my pair from Shoebuy, but they are available on Amazon and their website as well. I really wanted a vegetable patterned one (how appropriate, huh?), but they were last years and didn't have my size! As a note, try ordering one size up, as they tend to run small. I really like that they accommodate my orthotics too!

VEGAN! - I emailed the company and they assured me all their non-leather Bogs are 100% vegan! Even the glue!

Image from Shoebuy.com

Mega Insulated Coat

So, I have a giant, completely ridiculous red poofy coat. Todd tells me it makes me look like a "gansta". Admittedly, I do not care one smidge what I look like because it is the warmest damn thing on earth. I got it from Sierra Trading post four years ago. It was orginally almost $400 and I ended up paying less than $90 for it, with some coupons and seasonal sales. I adore it, however, it's made with down. Sad face. And down...I can no longer do. 

Image from SierraTradingPost.com

When the time comes to get a new coat, I've discovered that there aren't a whole lot of options for me. I'd like to first disclaim that my coat requirements are not average. I need a coat that will keep me warm in -30 F when winter camping or just generally not moving. There's a big difference in a coat that will keep you warm at freezing temperatures when you're active and when you're not. 

I usually turn to belay jackets to fill this requirement. They are huge parkas that are super warm. Imagine you're belaying your ice-climbing buddy for an hour. That coat needs to be warm...and huge. Unfortunately, most of these jackets are made of down. Why? Because down offers more warmth per weight than synthetic. However, it won't keep you warm if it gets wet, unlike synthetic. 

If I had to get a new coat tomorrow, there are two I would choose from. 

Black Diamond Stanley Belay Jacket 

Yes, this is a men's jacket. Women's belay jackets can be hard to come by and when you do find them they just aren't up to snuff when compared to men's. They'll be lacking abrasion pads that their male counterparts have (like women don't need abrasion pads!) or usually they just aren't as lofty. What's up with that? So, yep...I would get a men's XS jacket. Now, there are some cons to this, most notably being the shape. You'll want enough air space in the jacket, but not too much. However, with adequate layering, I'd take a chance on it. 

You can find this jacket on their website. 

GO VEGAN - Synthetic insulation is made without goose feathers!

Image from BlackDiamond.com

If you absolutely must have a ladies jacket, I'd go with this one, below. You can find it on the Big Agnes website here. 

Big Agnes Hot Sulphur Belay Jacket

Image from BigAgnes.com

So there you have it. Some vegan-friendly winter basics for your legs, torso, and feet. Stay tuned in the future for more winter gear tips! And be sure to let me know if you have any suggestions, tips, or questions!

Stay warm my friends!