Foods for the Soul

Tag Archives: Vegan

The Little Leprechaun Loaf

Irish soda bread

 

The leprechauns sneak up on me every year. After I devour my stash of dark chocolate fudge and truffles, I completely forget that another holiday falls between Valentine’s Day and Easter! Maybe if St. Patrick’s Day involved candy and cookies instead of corned beef and cabbage, I’d remember the date a little better…   Read more →

Growing Up — But Getting Younger!

baked chocolate sprinkle donuts

 

Any time I enter a donut shop, I immediately turn into a four-year-old kid. I run up to the display case, press my nose against the glass, and start judging each donut on its size, shape, fluffiness, and glaze.   Read more →

Sandwich on Holiday

Today is the LAST day to enter the homemade cookie giveaway!

 

vegan BLTT

 

Ever since I started kindergarten, I’ve packed my lunch to bring to school (and now work) every single day. I’ve only left my lunchbox at home a handful of times in nearly 20 years for the occasional classroom pizza party or catered meal by Boss.

 

Shockingly enough, I still enjoy biting into a simple sandwich. Normally it’s just a few slices of meat between my bread with a squeeze of mustard for moisture. Recently, I started getting fancy by adding crisp shredded lettuce. (A real splurge, I know!) But I almost always skip out on adding any more toppings, especially if they’ll turn my sandwich wet and soggy while it sits on my desk all morning.   Read more →

A Mother’s Magic Touch

Quick reminder: the homemade cookie giveaway ends this Friday! Post a comment on my new URL to enter!

 

blueberry almond flat-cakes

 

I tried mixing up a batch of just-like-Mom’s blueberry pancakes last week. After burning the first plate and chucking it in the trash, I realized I really should have paid closer attention to Mom’s cooking in the kitchen as a 5-year-old instead of banging on pots and pans with a wooden spoon…

 

But I was just too picky of an eater! The moment that Mom flipped my plain pancakes onto my plate, I’d smother them in syrup and happily munch away, completely ignoring Mom as she stirred fresh blueberries into the remaining batter. (I hated things mixed into my pancakes. No fruit, no nuts, no oats… Well, I might’ve been okay with chocolate chips or sprinkles.)   Read more →

Pink is For…

pretty pink donuts

There must have been something in the water last year… Two weeks ago, the stork dropped off a bundle of joy to two different ladies at work! My boss and his wife received the little girl, and I was so tempted to decorate their doors with bright pink balloons and crêpe paper…

 

But that didn’t quite seem appropriate for our drab hallways and professional environment. (Probably a safety and productivity hazard too, with all of the attention it would attract!) So I settled on making them celebratory treats instead.   Read more →

The “Sweet and Sneaky” Summary

sweet and sneaky ways to eat your veggies

I was amazed by your responses to my mini series on sweet and sneaky ways to eat your veggies. I expected people to think my recipes were insane, or maybe imaginative at best, but you surprised me with many thoughtful compliments instead!

 

I smiled while reading each of your comments, and a few of them really touched my heart.   Read more →

Sweet and Sneaky Ways to Eat Your Veggies: Beets

aka “And The Beet Goes On…”

fudgy beet brownies

I saved the best for last!

 

I thought beets were weird. Sure, they looked sweet and innocent from far away, but as soon as I mixed them into my salad, they turned my feta cheese hot pink. Hot pink. Strangely, I don’t find neon-colored dairy products very appetizing…

 

So while my mom swore by them, I picked those pesky beets out of my food.   Read more →

Sweet and Sneaky Ways to Eat Your Veggies: Pumpkin

aka “The Best Thanksgiving Vegetable”

pumpkin custard

 

At Thanksgiving, I usually serve myself a two-bite slice of turkey, a tablespoon of mashed potatoes, and three green beans. (Okay, slight exaggeration.) Then, while everyone else complains of stomach cramps and food comas, I still have plenty of room for dessert and get first dibs on the pumpkin pie!   Read more →

Sweet and Sneaky Ways to Eat Your Veggies: Carrots

aka “Earning Desserts as a Five-Year-Old”

carrot cake oatmeal

 

I always ate my three daily servings of fruit as a kid. I drank my “crazy drink” (OJ + fizzy water) through a straw at breakfast, munched on apple slices at lunch, and popped grapes like candy as an after school snack. But vegetables?

 

Totally different story.   Read more →

Peanut Butter at a Dinner Party

peanut butter noodles with chicken

I was invited to my first-ever dinner party! Somebody actually wanted to have dinner with me! Never mind the fact that it’s virtual and I can’t actually eat any of the food… (Well, maybe I could try to lick my computer screen. But that wouldn’t taste very good.)

 

Valerie at Atlanta Mom of Three extended an invitation to participate in her potluck next week, and I wanted to cook the perfect dish to share. Something kid-friendly but classy, something fast but flavorful, something easy but healthy…   Read more →