Shopping Local This Holiday Season

Where you decide to shop this holiday season could have a major impact on both the economy and our environment.

Consider This... Shopping locally cuts down on processing, packaging and transportation waste, leading to much less pollution!

Your independent retailers and restaurants generally stock a greater percentage of locally produced goods, meaning less fuel consumption, and these goods typically will come from smaller scale farms, factories, artists and producers. As well, local and independent companies are much more likely to reuse materials. 

These businesses are usually owned by people who live in your area and are more invested in the community’s future. A great deal of the money you spend with them stays in the community. Best of all, studies show that local businesses support non-profits by 250% more than large ones.

If you don’t like the idea of becoming a “clone town” filled with the same retail and fast food chains as the next town, then consider spending your money locally this holiday season.

Our One and Only World

Absolutely everything we do in our daily lives has some type of impact on our environment. Many of our daily habits may have more of an impact that you might have realized, so for today, I would like you to Consider This…

Eating with disposable chopsticks – not one I ever considered, but over 80 billion pairs are thrown out each year. They all end up in landfills. The plastic ones don’t biodegrade and their wooden counterparts take over 4 million trees a year to produce just in China! Sulfur, paraffin and insect repellents are used in the production. 

Easy fix:  Buy a few pairs of reusable sticks and put them in your home, car, your purse or briefcase.

Here is one we like.

If you prefer made in the USA, try these.

Vegan Cauliflower Bites - Yum!

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER BITES with NACHO CHEESE

- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp each: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder
- ½ tsp of each: salt, pepper, smoked paprika

SAUCE:
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- Large pinch of each: salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin
- ½ cup of salsa

DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tin foil.
- Rinse cauliflower and shake off water.
- Combine all spices and sprinkle over cauliflower.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then stir and cook for another 15 minutes.
- While cauliflower is cooking, make sauce.
- Put all ingredients in a blender except salsa, and blend until smooth.
- Pour into pan - cook over medium high heat until it boils. Turn down, stir and cook until thick.
- Remove from heat and stir in salsa. 

Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya - Luxury and Eco Friendly!

Italian owners, Luca and Antonella are hands on at this amazing luxury retreat.

Several beautiful tented cottages and suites are located on 283,000 acres of Maasai conservation area with spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Incredible safari's and hikes take place in this diverse eco system with the special treat of no other tourists! Tembo House (the heart of the camp) has been constructed with lava rocks, thatch and sustainable wood, and is where the main dining takes place. Fine Italian and local dishes are prepared using organic ingredients and are served by friendly Maasai waiters. 

Their mandate is to have the lowest impact possible on the environment. Each day of your stay contributes $101 to the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which among many other things, compensates Maasai farmers for lost livestock due to predators, and is responsible for tripling the local lion population over the last three years. 

Photovoltaic panels are used for electricity and the water catchment systems provides a carbon footprint of ZERO! Low energy appliances, recycling of all water, eco-friendly soaps, composting and sustainable farming all add to the true ecotourism practiced by Campi ya Kanzi. 

BOTTOM LINE:  If you are looking for a truly amazing experience, filled with genuine and unique adventures, then the luxury filled Campi ya Kenzi is your pick!

Thanksgiving Desserts - Yum!

The very best part of any dinner is the dessert!! These vegan choices are a perfect ending for your Thanksgiving dinner.

APPLE CRISP – 4 servings

- 4 medium apples, peeled and chopped, sprinkled with a little lime or lemon juice
- ½ cup of walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 1/3 cup each: brown sugar, flour and rolled oats
- 3 Tbsp of Vegan butter or coconut oil
- 1 tsp each: cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg
- Pinch of sea salt

DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oven to 375 F.
- Mix oats, flour, nuts, spices and butter or oil until it becomes crumbly.
- Butter or oil four small ramekins or one large  or 8 x 8 baking dish and add apples.
- Add topping, sprinkle with salt, and bake covered for 20 minutes and then uncovered for 10 minutes.

OPTIONS:
- Use a combination of pears and apples.
- Add ½ cup of raisins in with the apples.

PUMPKIN PIE – SERVES 8

- 2 cups of canned Pureed Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup full fat Coconut milk
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup each: organic cornstarch and maple syrup
- 1 tsp each: vanilla and cinnamon
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp each: salt and nutmeg
- 1 Store bought vegan pie crust – do not precook

DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Add all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. You can use a hand mixer.
- Pour the mixture into the pie shell and bake for 60 minutes. The middle should be a bit wobbly.
- Let cool and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.

OPTIONS:
- Top with Vegan whipped cream and a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Serve with Vegan ice cream.

RICE PUDDING – 4-6 servings

- 1 cup of cooked rice (basmati rice works good)
- 2 cups vanilla almond milk
- 1 can of full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup each: flaked coconut, raisins and chopped pistachios
- 1 tsp each: cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
- In a large pan over medium heat cook rice and milk until it starts to boils, turn down and cook for 5 more minutes.
-  Increase heat to medium and add coconut milk, sugar, cardamom and cinnamon. Cook until it starts to thicken about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, coconut, raisins and pistachios.
- Eat warm or cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge. 

 

Thanksgiving Main Dishes

For a lot of families, it is all about the turkey. Our Vegan Thanksgiving is all about the taste! Check out these great ideas for an amazing meat-free dinner.

Our holiday dinners always include a holiday roast from Gardein. They offer full stuffed roasts with gravy and cranberry sauce, or for a smaller meal you can use their delicious individual Turk'y cutlets. Either way you will definitely not miss the meat!

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH WILD RICE

Roasted Acorn Squash
- 2 acorn squash, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
- 1 Tbsp. Vegan butter, melted
- 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar, packed
- salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven.
- Place the 4 squash halves, cut side up on a baking sheet, brush each half with the melted butter. Make sure to brush the tops and the centers of each squash so that the entire surface area has been coated. Sprinkle each half with some of the brown sugar and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until just fork tender, about 20-30 minutes.

Wild Rice Salad
- 2 cups freshly cooked wild rice (1 cup uncooked)
- 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- Grated zest of 1 naval orange
- Juice of 2 naval oranges
- Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm wild rice, pecans, cranberries, basil, and orange zest. Stir well to combine and pour in the orange juice and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Divide the wild rice mixture among the squash halves, about a 1/2 cup each. Return the stuffed squash to the oven and continue to bake at 350 degrees F for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the squash are fork tender and golden brown around the edges.
- When ready to serve garnish with additional chopped basil and orange zest if desired

Recipe courtesy of Beardandbonnet.com

Coming up next - it is all about the desserts!

 

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and food. These easy side dishes can make your day a little easier! These recipes are about 4 servings but can easily be doubled or tripled.

SPICY CORN
- 2 cups of frozen organic corn
- 1 tsp each: garlic powder, chili powder, lime juice
-  ½ tsp cayenne
- 1-2 Tbsp of Vegan Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast

DIRECTIONS:
- Mix all spices and add to frozen corn.
- Heat up in microwave or on stove top.
- Sprinkle with cheese or yeast and serve.
 

HONEY CARROTS:
- 5-6 medium carrots, sliced on diagonal
- 1 Tbsp each: Vegan butter and maple syrup
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- Salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS:
- Boil carrots in water for about 15 minutes.
- Drain and stir in maple syrup, butter, rosemar.y, salt and pepper.
 

ROASTED ROOT VEGGIES WITH CURRY
- 4-5 cups of peeled and chopped root veggies: carrots, parsnips, turnip
- 1 large onion, chopped in big chunks
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped fine 
Salt & pepper
- 2-3 Tbsp Cilantro or parsley, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 425. Toss all ingredients except cilantro together and layer on to two baking sheets. Cook for 15 minutes and turn over (or just stir them around). Cook another 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

OPTIONS:
- Replace curry powder with 1 tsp each: rosemary and thyme
 

ASIAN STYLE GREEN BEANS
- 2 cups of frozen or fresh green beans
- 1/4 cup organic soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp each: garlic-minced, brown sugar and sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS:
Mix in medium bowl soy, garlic, brown sugar and pepper flakes.
- Toss green beans on mixture.
- Heat up sesame oil over medium heat. Add green beans and cook for 3-5 minutes –keep stirring.

OPTIONS:
- Use broccoli instead of green beans. Add sliced mushrooms or red pepper.
- Change up the spices - use olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper-delete soy, sugar and sesame oil.
 

CREAMED KALE
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 big bunch of kale cut into bite size pieces
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- Salt & pepper
- Grated coconut (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oil over medium high heat in a large pan. Add onion and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add kale, stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add coconut milk, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Top with coconut flakes if using.
 

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
- 8 medium potatoes cut in chunks, peel if you prefer
- 3-4 Tbsp of vegan butter
- 5 cloves of roasted garlic (see note)
- salt, pepper and chives

DIRECTIONS
- Put potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Boil for about 30 minutes.
- Drain potatoes and add to a large bowl. Add butter, salt and pepper.
- Mash with a potato masher or use a hand mixer (don't over mix).
- Mash the roasted garlic and stir into potatoes.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

NOTE:
- To roast garlic, wrap cloves in tin foil add a few drops of olive oil and roast in oven at 400 for 30 minutes.

OPTIONS:
- Replace potatoes with sweet potatoes. Replace garlic with a small sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.
 

BASIC VEGAN STUFFING
- 2 Tbsp of olive oil or vegan butter
- 2 of each, chopped: celery stock, carrot and onion
- 1 cup of mushrooms
- 1 cup each: cooked rice and bread cut into cubes
- 1 cup of vegetable or mushroom stock
- 1 tsp each: sage, thyme, rosemary, salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS
- Heat up oil or butter in a large pan on medium heat, add celery, carrots, onions, mushrooms and spices.
- Cook for about 5-6 minutes.
- Place rice, bread and veggie mixture into a large bowl and add as much stock as you need to make the mixture moist. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Put the mixture into a baking dish that has been greased with oil or butter. Cover with foil and cook at 375 for about 30 minutes. 

OPTIONS
- The sky is the limit with stuffing, add nuts, dried fruit or other vegetables.

Black Bean Soup - Delicious and Easy!

You can have this on your table in less than 30 minutes. The recipe makes about four servings so there's lots left for the next day. You can also freeze this.

BLACK BEAN SOUP
- 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 of each: onion, celery stalk, large carrot, chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. each: chili powder and cumin
- 1 tsp each: salt and pepper
- 3-4 cups of veggie broth or mushroom broth
- 2 large cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 C of frozen organic corn (or canned)
- 1 large can of diced tomatoes

DIRECTIONS:
- Heat up oil on medium heat and add onion, celery and carrots. Cook for about 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic, spices, salt and pepper, cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add broth, 1 can of beans and tomatoes (with juices) and cook for about 10-15 minutes.
- Blend with an immersion blender or food processor. If it is too thick add more broth.
- Add the last can of beans and the corn and heat for about 3 minutes.

OPTIONS:
- Top with fresh cilantro or diced avocado
- Add 1 cup of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) before blending.

BUCKET LIST - The Safari Collection - Giraffe Manor

The Giraffe Manor is one of four luxury boutique resorts in Kenya owned by Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley (The Safari Collection). This exclusive hotel is set on 12 acres of private land and offers many unique luxuries. Most fascinating is the herd of Rothschild Giraffes that visit every morning and evening and poke their heads into the windows in hopes of a treat. Something that I absolutely need to see!

The Safari Collection of resorts are focused on both sustainability and giving back. Through a few carefully selected projects, they support conservation and community development, all of which directly conserve wildlife, addressing the causes of their decline and meeting the needs of the surrounding communities.

Their goal is to provide guests with amazing personal safari experiences while making a contribution to Kenya's wildlife, cultures and eco systems. They have put in place many procedures to reduces their usage of energy, water and materials.

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Come back for more details on this amazing property!

Easy Vegan Noodle Bowl

This dish is about versatility. You can add pretty much any type of veggies that you like. This recipe serves two but it can easily be doubled.

- 2 servings of rice noodles
- 1 carrot, julienned-sliced really thin
- 1/2 C each of: cucumbers, mushrooms and red pepper, sliced very thin
- 1 C of shredded lettuce or spinach
- 1/4 C of each mint and cilantro or basil leaves, torn
SAUCE:
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. of Vegan Fish Sauce (or dried seaweed)
- 1/4 C each of: rice vinegar and water
- 2 Tbsp. each of: sugar and lime juice (fresh is best)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small red chili, finely chopped or 1 tsp of red pepper flakes or hot sauce

DIRECTIONS:
- Cook rice noodles according to package.
- Add vegetables and herbs to noodles.
- Mix all sauce ingredients and add to noodle mixture.

OPTIONS:
- Add bean sprouts, baby corn or any other tender veggies.
- Add pan fried tofu.