BREAKⓋAST

There are most likely numerous things I do miss about a carnivorous and non-Vegan lifestyle, but, for some reason, I miss that sickening full feeling the most. And the subconscious connection between comfort-food and that sickly full atmospheric pressure is in the back of my brain as I’m still attaining to retain that damn sensation.

Einstein_Bicycle-600x400

The conclusion was creating  an awesome ongoing process of constructing Ⓥegan food that is extremely good for you that will never provide a sick-full ambience, like chasing a water-like mirage for 100 kms in a sand-boiling-into-glass desert. After months and months of scientifically creating food ideas like Einstein with an apron on and like Einstein riding a bicycle, there IS NOT a way to be engulfed by that death euphoria without torturing, murdering and consuming animal flesh or animal dairy products.

thumb_IMG_3092_1024

I will never in my life eat animal flesh ever again. So, it is settled. I do still enjoy creating and consuming Ⓥ “comfort-food”, but I will never experience that deathly ill susceptibility. I will only have an energetic, healthy and LIFEFUL consciousness and how is that a bad thing.

Albert-Einstein-Nothing-will-benefit-human

One fact that bothers me is Albert Einstein, the brilliant scientist, believed in vegetarianism his whole life, yet only practiced a vegetarian lifestyle at the conclusion of his life. For someone so smart, why did it take him so long..? I’d truly enjoy asking him that question.

thumb_IMG_3056_1024

I’ve recently noticed a trend of mothers posting cute pictures of their children and calling them “hams” on various social media platforms. I am biased being Vegan and haven’t stuck a fork in ham for well over three years, but I find it disturbing. All that I can think of is the torture and murder involved in preparing that “cute” dead animal flesh for the holiday. Why is that becoming a fad? I hope for the sake of quality of life that I am not the only one that has noticed and been bothered by this. Maybe I am overthinking this, but felt an urge to shed some light on this. If anyone can explain the reasoning behind this, I’d greatly appreciate it. I can only think of ignorance.

Penguins Kill Polar Bears

thumb_IMG_3068_1024

A newly found artist, Penguins Kill Polar Bears, are a post-rock scottish foursome that are talented and loud.

CHECK ‘EM OUT

PenguinsKillPolarBears

thumb_IMG_3088_1024

I am also gonna, from now on, keep track of prices most of the prices in relation to their serving sizes. LBV is still not finished, also. (Low Budget Vegan)

thumb_IMG_3045_1024

BREAKⓋAST ingredients:

  • Tofu, extra firm (6) @ $2.98 = $0.50 per serving
  • Eggplant, chopped (8) @ $1.78 = $0.23 per serving
  • Spinach, sliced (3.5) @ $2.98 = $0.86 per serving
  • Shallot, sliced (6) @$0.72 = $0.12 per serving
  • Portabellini, sliced (3.5) @ $3.99 = $1.14 per serving
  • SEASONING: SeaSalt/Pepper/FennelSeed/ DillWeed/Oil = $0.07
  • Lightlife ‘sausage’, crumbled (7) @ $4.99 = $0.72 per serving
  • Lightlife ‘beef’, crumbled (7) @ $4.99 = $0.72 per serving
  • Rye Bread, grilled (16) @ $2.89 = $0.19 per serving
  • Earth Balance (30) @ $4.99 = $0.17 per serving
  • Tortilla, warm – for burrito (8) @ $1.25 = $0.16 per serving
  • Potato, diced (20) @ $2.99 = $0.15 per serving
  • Garlic, minced (27) @ $2.99 = $0.12 per serving

This is definitely not the cheapest meal, at $4.43 per serving, it is well worth it for health and general life benefits. And depending on quality of vegetables, it can cost more. The spinach and Mushrooms are ridiculously expensive for the servings. Not 100% sure those were the serving sizes, but still way more than I normally want to spend.

thumb_IMG_3046_1024

I do not feel like going into much detail on how I made this. It’s pretty simple. I think I broke my toe last night and I’m going to attempt to ride tonight! I, also, am going to buy a Fat Bike tonight!!!

thumb_IMG_2965_1024

It’s been quite a few months since I rolled a FATTY!

thumb_IMG_2918_1024

Happy THURSDAY! Enjoy a good BEER

thumb_IMG_2645_1024

 

LBV 

Low Budget Vegan 4/10

  
TOFATO has been created mated and stated boldly never hated life. 

  • Tomato Soup Concentrate (6)@$2.24=$0.38 per serving
  • Tofu, firm (6) @ $2.99 = $0.50 per serving
  • Silk Cashew ‘Milk’ (8) @ $2.97 = $0.38 per serving 
  • Seasonings @ $0.05 per serving
  • Smart Dogs (8) @ $3.99 = $0.50 per serving
  • Buns (8) @ $1.25 = $0.16 per serving
  • Mustard (136) @ $1.75 = $0.02

When you marinate Smart Dogs in this Euphoria, you’re playing with fire. Eat healthy and enjoy a good beer. 

   
    
   

This costs, per serving, $1.99 and is well worth it to end a snowy day. 

LBⓋ 3/10

Low Budget Ⓥegan 3/10

  
Chicago-style Vegan Hot Dogs could be a bit cheaper depending on the quality of your Veggies. Any time I’m eating raw Veggies, I tend to be pickier on quality. These are super quick and easy to make and even easier to devour.

  

Chicago-style Vegan Hot Dog ingredients:

  • Smart Dogs, grilled or boiled
  • Smart Dog Buns, regular buns
  • Mustard, mmmmm
  • Tomato, I had leftover grape Toms-sliced longways
  • English Cucumber, diced
  • Celery Salt
  • Onion, diced
  • Tortilla Chips, on the side or choose other side

No instructions needed (I’d hope)     🙂

  
Chicago-style Vegan Hot Dog Cost Science:

  • Smart Dogs (8) = $3.99 @ $0.50 per serving
  • Buns (8) = $1.25 @ $0.16 per serving
  • Mustard (136) = $1.75 @ $0.02 per serving
  • Tomato (10) = $3.98 @ $0.40 per serving
  • English Cucumber (10) = $1.99 @ $0.20 per serving
  • Celery Salt (794?) = $1.00 @less than $0.01 per serving
  • Onion (7) = $1.17 @ $0.17 per serving
  • Tortilla Chips (13) = $2.00 @ $0.16 per serving

These are extremely comforting Vegan Dawgs and at $1.62 per serving, they are most worth it on a regular basis. Lightlife does an outstanding job with their Plant Powered Protein and if anyone ever gets a chance, TRY one of their many products. They even blew my mind having JUMBO Smart Dogs.

Lightlife

To all of you getting some snow, be safe & have FUN!

LBⓋ 2/10

Low Budget Ⓥegan 2/10

  

EZ Chinesey ingredients:

  • Ramen, just noodles not seasoning packet
  • Veggies, I chose Oriental (Frozen)
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Sesame Oil
  • Sriracha
  • Soy Sauce
  • Minced Onion, dry
  • GarlicP/OnionP/Salt/Pepper

  

EZ Chinesey Cost Science:

  • Ramen, seasoning packet discarded (24) = $2.18 & $0.10 per serving
  • Oriental Veggies, frozen (13) = $5.98 & $0.46 per serving
  • Balsamic Vinegar (32) = $2.97 & $0.10 per serving
  • Sesame Oil (10) = $3.48 & $0.35 per serving
  • Sriracha (96) = $2.97 & $0.04 per serving
  • Soy Sauce (30) = $1.88 & $0.07 per serving
  • Seasonings @ roughly $0.05 per serving

Bring water to a boil and add Seasonings and Veggies for a minute. Then  add Ramen Noodles without their non-Vegan seasonings. Turn off heat and stir for 1-2 minutes. Strain. With Noodles and Veggies still in strainer, in the same pan/pot put Sesame Oil/Balsamic Vinegar/Sriracha and Soy Sauce and heat. Add Noodles and Veggies and stir. Done.

  
At $1.17 per serving this EZ Chinesey is more on the expensive side, BUT ideal for date night and 2+ servings. HAPPY FRIDAY

  

LBⓋ 1/10

  
A go-to quick and inexpensive sandwich that I’m hooked on keeps my belly and wallet happy.

  
I love Vegan food that is basically all ready prepared as a meat substitute, but it is rarely on the cheaper side. I have actually documented the price of the ingredients and would like to continue with 10 different ideas over the next few weeks.

  

Go-To Ⓥ Sandwich ingredients:

  • Hamburger-less Bun, toasted
  • Frozen Hash Brown Patty, baked or pan-fried
  • Iceberg Lettuce, torn and folded
  • Mustard, generously splashy
  • Tortilla Chips, on the side and/or on the sandwich 🙂

  

Go-To Ⓥ Sandwich Cost Science:

  • Buns (8) = $1.50 & $0.18 per serving
  • HashBrown Patties (10) = $2.00 & $0.20 per serving
  • Lettuce (5-7) = $1.77 & $0.22 per serving
  • Mustard (136) = $1.75 & $0.02 per serving
  • Tortilla Chips (13) = $2.00 & $0.16 per serving

I’m definitely not saying this should be consumed every day for every meal. It is, however, cheaper and healthier than fast food. It is also cheaper than using Ⓥ Boca patties. And I find them extremely satisfying. I still love my Ⓥ Boca patties, just can’t afford them all of the time especially if you are as thirsty as me. CHEERS at a whopping 79 cents per serving for this meal.

  

Veganism doesn’t have to be as expensive of a lifestyle as some of us can make it to be. Overall, the satisfaction of eating to BETTER the world and to BETTER ourselves is priceless no matter the price tag.

Ⓥeatballs

IMG_1814

  

Back Burner Ragu Marinara ingredients:

  • Celery, finely diced
  • Carrot, finely diced
  • Onion, finely diced
  • Garlic, diced
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Veggie Broth
  • Tomato Paste
  • Chopped Tomatoes, canned or fresh (deseeded)
  • Sugar/SeaSalt/Pepper/Cayenne/GarlicP/OnionP

  

Steps:

  • Cook Garlic, Celery, Onion & Carrot before adding everything else.
  • Simmer for hours, stirring.
  • I used Brown Sugar this time and I put a splash of Liquid Smoke

I decided to cancel my plans on making Seitan ‘Parmesan’ in order to ride a Gran Fondo on my only day off in the last week. At times, I have been motivated to suffer through various rides. One, to make me stronger and two, to deplete any frustrations and stress life can bring. This stress killer was a ride with 20-35 km/h headwind. I chose to turn my Back Burner Ragu Marinara into a soup.

Gran Fondo

  
Creating things that are versatile keeps you on your toes and free to motivate your imagination in the kitchen. Just like recipes, plans do not have to be kept and should be open for changes and involve freedom.

  
Roasted Ⓥeggie Soup ingredients:

  • Back Burner Ragu Marinara, simmering
  • Cashew Milk
  • Tofu, soft
  • Eggplant, chopped
  • Potato, chopped
  • Cauliflower, chopped
  • Green Pepper, diced
  • Asparagus, chopped
  • Tomato, chopped
  • Celery, chopped
  • Mushroom, sliced
  • Onion, diced
  • Sugar/SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP
  • Nutritional Yeast

   

 High Dive Double Backflip:

  • Roast Veggies to desired doneness.
  • Add Tofu & Mushrooms towards the end of desired doneness, or not.
  • Simmer Cashew Milk with seasonings while Veggies are roasting.
  • Add roasted greatness to Sauce and enjoy 🙂

Last night I spontaneously decided to make pasta from my Soup. And also decided and brainstormed Ⓥeatballs. The last time I made meatless ‘meatballs’, I was not even Vegetarian yet. I took a different approach and had fun with the idea. The results were very rewarding and extremely tasty.

  
Ⓥeatballs ingredients:

  • Fennel Seeds, roasted
  • Eggplant, roasted & diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Raw Cashew, pulverized
  • Raw Almonds, pulverized w/ skin
  • LightLife, ‘beef’ & ‘sausage’ – diced
  • Bread Crumbs, plain
  • Corn Meal
  • Vital Wheat Gluten, not too much
  • Idaho Spuds Instant Mashed, classic
  • Cashew Milk
  • NutritionalYeast/Sugar/Cayenne
  • GarlicP/OnionP/Turmeric/Thyme/Oregano
  • SeaSalt/Pepper

IMG_2051

   

 Cannon Balls:

  • Roast Fennel Seeds and Eggplant together and cool slightly before dicing.
  • Start mixing dry ingredients first before wet and more wet ingredients just to ease my anal-ness.
  • I decided to add Vital Wheat Gluten last just because I was unsure of how it would mix. I added a bit at a time while mixing with one hand until I found my ideal consistency.
  • Form into balls and bake before broiling to finish with some color and char flavor.

  

Pasta ingredients Ⓥ:

  • Bow Tie noodles, cooked entirely in Sauce
  • Roasted Ⓥeggie Soup, simmering
  • Spinach, sliced like Basil
  • Ⓥeatballs, fresh out of oven 🙂

  

Snow Angels:

  • Make sure noodles have cooked in sauce.
  • Add sliced Spinach.
  • Plate Pasta with Ⓥeatball.
  • Enjoy a beer and be happy:)

  

Currently on Netflix incase you’d like to GEEK OUT:

Mysteries of the Unseen World

The Physics of Light

  

Blushing Ⓥ Linguine

IMG_1814

Back Burner Ragu Marinara ingredients:

  • Celery, finely diced
  • Carrot, finely diced
  • Onion, finely diced
  • Garlic, diced
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Veggie Broth
  • Tomato Paste
  • Chopped Tomatoes, canned or fresh (deseeded)
  • Sugar/SeaSalt/Pepper/Cayenne/GarlicP/OnionP

  

Steps:

  • Cook Garlic, Celery, Onion & Carrot before adding everything else.
  • Simmer for hours, stirring.
  • I used Brown Sugar this time and I put a splash of Liquid Smoke

   

 Blush Sauce ingredients:

  • Cashew ‘Milk’, mmmmm
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP/Cayenne/Turmeric
  • Nutritional Yeast/Sugar
  • Back Burner Ragu Marinara

Boil & simmer for 30-45 minutes.

  
Blushing Ⓥ Linguine ingredients:

  • Blush Sauce, hot & ready
  • Linguine, undercooked
  • Green Pepper, julienne sliced
  • Mushroom, sliced
  • Onion, diced
  • Parsley
  • Basil, sliced
  • Daiya, slices mmmm

    

  
Science:

  • Sauté Veggies and add Blush Sauce.
  • Undercook Linguine and drain to be completed in Blush sauce.
  • Plate Blushing Noodles and top with Blushing Veggies and Daiya slices.
  • Broil for two minutes and finish with herbs.

BBⓋ Ⓥuality Ⓥuest

   
 
Mixing bicycles, (good) beers and (great) food together is a powerful combination. And at that, not everyone is Vegan and definitely not even Vegetarian. I have learned most people are well aware and can somehow relate to Vegetarianism. It’s Veganism that overwhelms the carnivorous mindset. I try my best in any situation to influence people to better the planet and in bettering themselves.

   
   
Does that mean I should spend money and time on Vegan food to share? You’d better believe it!

   
   
I’m a huge fan of LightLife products. And their Smart Dogs are outstanding! I brought enough Smart Dogs to share and more than enough Ⓥasta Salad to share.

  
IMG_1819

Seitan ingredients:

  • Vital Wheat Gluten
  • Rosemary/FennelSeed, crushed
  • Corn Meal
  • Cayenne/Thyme/Turmeric
  • Tomato Paste
  • Broth
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP
  • BayLeaves/Celery/Onion, for cooking in
  • Non-Dairy Cheese Cloth

411: Mix wet ingredients together and mix dry ingredients together and then mix wet and dry together. Form into a loaf and put into wet ‘Cheese’ Cloth and bake in Lasagna pan two hours flipping halfway in Broth. Remove from cloth immediately and store, add color or use!

IMG_1818IMG_1816IMG_1817IMG_1815

WildTurkey 101 BBⓋ sauce ingredients:

  • Chipotle Adobe, chopped/mixed/liquified
  • Liquid Smoke
  • Garlic/Onion/Serrano, diced and roasted or roasted and chopped
  • Brown Sugar
  • Sriracha/BalsamicVinegar
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/OnionP/GarlicP
  • Tomato Paste
  • Broth
  • Wild Turkey 101, after a few sips 🙂

IMG_1887

Shots:

  • Bring everything to a boil and simmer for hours.
  • Strain or do not strain, depending use.

   

 Italian Dressing ingredients:

  • Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/Oregano
  • Garlic cloves, peeled & slight cut into

Two parts oil to one part Vinegar which is ⅔ Red Wine Vinegar and ⅓ Balsamic. Let marinate for days.

  
Ⓥasta Salad ingredients:

  • Rotini, tri-color & slightly overcooked
  • Daiya, ‘Cheddar’ slices-chopped
  • Black Olives, whole & then quartered
  • Italian Dressing
  • Cayenne
  • Cucumber, deseeded & diced finely
  • Radish, diced
  • Celery Seed
  • Sunflower Seed, shelled & unsalted
  • Spinach, basil-like sliced 🙂

Mix & add dressing as late as possible.

   
    
   
   
 

ⓋLattyDaddys

   
   
Vegan LattyDaddy’s are Vegan patties that are perfectly architected like imperfected Cincinnati’s Belgian Abbeys.

   
    
 No need for Condiments. A LightLife LifeLine. A menace to society. How can one Vegan patty be so flavorful and still hold its own against heat?

   
Japanese beetles are not The Beatles with a Japan-like accent, but here in the midwest of the United States of America to ensure our Windows are sealed correctly.

  
Seitan ingredients:

  • Vital Wheat Gluten
  • Rosemary/FennelSeed, crushed
  • Corn Meal
  • Cayenne/Thyme/Turmeric
  • Tomato Paste
  • Broth
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP
  • BayLeaves/Celery/Onion, for cooking in
  • Non-Dairy Cheese Cloth

411: Mix wet ingredients together and mix dry ingredients together and then mix wet and dry together. Form into a loaf and put into wet ‘Cheese’ Cloth and bake in Lasagna pan two hours flipping halfway in Broth. Remove from cloth immediately and store, add color or use!

  
WildTurkey 101 BBⓋ sauce ingredients:

  • Chipotle Adobe, chopped/mixed/liquified
  • Liquid Smoke
  • Garlic/Onion/Serrano, diced and roasted or roasted and chopped
  • Brown Sugar
  • Sriracha/BalsamicVinegar
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/OnionP/GarlicP
  • Tomato Paste
  • Broth
  • Wild Turkey 101, after a few sips 🙂

   

    
 Shots:

  • Bring everything to a boil and simmer for hours.
  • Strain or do not strain, depending use.

   

   
ⓋLattyDaddy patty ingredients:

  • Seitan, diced
  • Tofu, firm
  • LightLife ‘beef’ & ‘sausage’, chopped
  • Brown Rice, cooked
  • Black Beans, cooked
  • Pinto Beans, cooked
  • Lentils, cooked
  • WildTurkey 101 BBⓋ sauce, mmmmmmm
  • Sunflower Seeds, roasted
  • Cauliflower, diced & roasted
  • Eggplant, diced & roasted
  • Shallot, diced & roasted
  • Broth, Veggie DUH
  • Mushroom, sliced & roasted
  • Garlic, minced & roasted
  • Parsley, chopped
  • SeaSalt/Pepper/OnionP/GarlicP/Sugar
  • LiquidSmoke/Cayenne/Turmeric/NutritionalYeast
  • Instant Mashed Spuds, binding agent

   
    
 Mix together. I let sit before forming patties. I normally would’ve roasted the patties, but I actually ran out of Parchment Paper and pan-fried the patties with very light oil in a non-stick pan.

  
ⓋLattyDaddy ingredients:

  • ⓋLattyDaddy Patty
  • Daiya, Daiya slices melt extremely perfect 🙂
  • Green Pepper, sliced and pan-fried or roasted
  • Tomato, sliced
  • Buns, bigger (gourmet) & toasted on insides
  • Vegenaise, mmmmm

   

   
Trick or Treat:

  • Toast buns and set aside.
  • Roast or pan-fry ⓋLattyDaddy patty and put Green Pepper slices under Daiya & melt.
  • Lather Vegenaise on inside of Buns and put together.
  • Put together without condiments. Place Tomatoes in there somewhere.
  • I baked halved Potatoes on a cast iron skillet for the side.

I find myself talking to beer store clerks/cashiers more and more. I think, unconsciously adapting them as my “bartender” as I don’t go to bars much anymore because they cannot upkeep their varieties of good beers to my beer guts demand. I don’t dwell of any issues going on in my life, just basically hired friends forced to bullshit with me. 🙂

   
 Drink a Bicycle and go Ride a Beer. Have an extremely safe and outrageously FUN Halloween!