Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

Avocados.  Nature’s creamy fruit.  Have you heard that?  I never had an avocado until I gave up milk.  And boy was I missing something!  Everyone should be enjoying this fruit.  I started out eating it as guacamole and loved it so much I made it nearly weekly at first. But I have since tapered off.  I guess there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. But here is a super cool way...

Chili Mac Bake-For Meatlovers or Vegans, Allergy Free Or Not

Can you say “YUM?”  Yep, this is super yummy.  You can make this Chili Mac Bake meat lovers way or vegan style.  I have made it both ways and both ways were super good.  In fact it can also be made allergy free or not.  This recipe fits anyone’s diet or preferences. Here is a picture of the vegan version of Chili Mac Bake.   Besides being delish and comfort food this is easy to put...

Sweet Potato Fries

Do you have some uncooked sweet potatoes left over from Christmas?  Not sure what to do with them?  Make them into fries!  This is so simple and easy, I am embarrassed to say I have never made this until a few years ago when a friend introduced this to me. You can cut them long.    Or you can cut them short. But, either way, you have a fast and easy side dish.  Most kids like sweet potatoes...

Berry Cherry Slush

Here is a festive beverage for the holiday season.  Actually this would work for any occasion, any season.  But given its red color, it seems to be suited for Christmas.   This beverage is easy to put together and can be made in advance freeing up the days closer to your celebration for the other foods on your to make list.  An added bonus is that it uses no added sugar with the exception of...

How To Cut A Pineapple-Photo Tutorial

Pineapples have been on sale lately.  I never used to buy them whole because cutting one up seemed daunting.  But I have been buying fresh pineapples (only when on sale)  for about two years now.  Here are some pictures on how to cut a pineapple. It's that simple.  Buy fresh pineapple and you will never go back to canned!

Alternatives to Butter (and soy) in Baking–Spectrum Shortening and Earth Balance Coconut Spread

Today I bring you some information about alternatives to butter and regular shortening in baking.  Butter of course, makes things delicious and flaky, but it is made out of milk.  So it’s out for people with milk allergies or vegans.  But you can still bake wonderful treats without butter.  There is shortening, like Crisco, or your store’s generic brand.  This works very well in most...

Winter Fruit Salad

I usually like to keep my fruit in its natural state.  But sometimes it is fun to dress it up; especially around the holidays.  You could make this fruit salad for your Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve party or anytime in the winter when oranges and grapefruit are in season.  It is easy to put together and adds a special twist to your dinner. Apples, pears, oranges, some grapefruit, and...

Vegetable Chili-Vegan Style

I love soups, stews and chili this time of year.  I love to make them and eat them.  Today I bring you a vegan chili that is so hearty.  This is a good way to introduce people to meatless soups or a good way to start trying them yourself.  You will not miss the meat.   I bring this recipe (slightly tweaked) to you from More Choices, Eat Well, Live Well by Cheryl D. Thomas-Peters, RD. ...

Creamy Garlic Potato Soup With Vegan Options

I used to have a baked potato soup recipe that was so delicious!  It was loaded with heavy cream, butter and the like.  It was high calorie/fat so I limited myself to making it only once or twice a winter.   It was also a lot of work. So about two years ago, I set out to find a potato soup that could replace my old love.  I found it in a vegan cookbook.   It was simple and fast; not a lot...

Mashed Potato Bake

Mashed potato bake is an easy way to serve potatoes during the holidays.  Why?  Because you can prepare it a couple of days in advance and then just warm them up before serving.  This came in very handy for me at Thanksgiving.  I made the potatoes two days in advance and then they warmed in the oven while I carved the turkey.  It was way less hectic in the kitchen and I didn’t have to...