Veggie Pasta

Since Winter is now here, and the weather has gotten colder, cooked food has become the basis of my diet once again. And quite happily, I must say.
I think I've decided that raw veganism isn't quite right for me- at least not yet. I feel like I have so much energy now that I eat cooked vegetables and whole grains.

Pasta has long been one of my favorite grain dishes. That, rolled oats, and brown rice.
I especially love pastas with creamy dishes and lots of vegetables!
This recipe is really quick and easy to make, and came out super tasty!

Ingredients:
For the veggies:
Swirl sesame oil
3 cloves garlic
1 Chopped bell pepper
2 or 3 C chopped broccoli (I like a lot of it)
1 chopped tomato

Sauce:
2/3 C nutritional yeast
1/4 C plain, unsweetened soy yogurt
2/3 C tomato sauce
1/3 C water
3 Tbsp apple sauce
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp tamari
cumin, salt, and pepper, to taste

1 lb whole wheat pasta

Method:
Cooking the pasta according to directions on the package.
Meanwhile, heat the sesame oil on medium heat. Add the garlic. Saute for about 30 seconds.
Add the vegetables and saute until tender.

While the vegetables are cooking, make the sauce. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and adjust for flavor.

When the pasta is done, drain, and return to the pot. Add the cooked vegetables and stir in the sauce. Enjoy!

MacaRAWne and Cheez

I don't think I have ever had a hard time being vegetarian or vegan. The only thing that makes things a little difficult would be eating out at restaurants that aren't able to comply (Because when I order a baked potato and steamed broccoli-the only two vegan things on the menu- with nothing on them, I mean NOTHING, not melted butter!!!). But other than that, I have had nightmares about accidently eating meat (obsessive?), I have no yogurt cravings, could care less about ice cream or cream cheese, and cheeses kind of gross me out- especially melted.

Although, I did nonchalantly say to my sister that if there were anything I miss, it's macaroni and cheese. I would never eat that again (well, exept for vegan versions, of course), but the dish does hold a lot of memories for me, like lunch at my grampa's, making it for dinner while on vacation, mixing in ridiculous amounts of broccoli to it...

I have tried to find some vegan substitute to match up to dairy mac and cheese, but to no avail... And then I tried a raw recipe for i... I've made quite a few changes to it, and I have to say, of all the vegan mac and cheeses I've had, this is my favorite, despite the pasta being carrots!


MacaRAWne and Cheez: Serves 2-4
6-8 carrots, grated (or more if you want)
3/4 C finely chopped broccoli florets
1 avocado
1/2 C nutrional yeast
6 Tbsp water (more or less, to your preferance)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp nama shoyu
Salt and Pepper, to taste

~Mash the avocado with the nutrional yeast, water, lemon jice, garlic powder, and nama shoyu. Add salt and pepper to taste.
~Mix in the grated carrots and chopped broccoli.

I think it goes best on top of a handful or two of spinach or lettuce! And with some dried basil or oregano sprinkled on top, too... yum!