Merry Christmas and Happy 2019!

It has been a very busy two weeks - hence the lack of posting. I am happy to report, however, that I managed to stay vegan throughout the holidays and only managed to gain 2lbs (despite all the over eating, and random vegan junk food).

THE FOOD

Apple Crisp

Our Festive Table

The week before Christmas, we had a potluck at work for our department.  Everyone was signing up for various meat products, so it was quite obvious early on that there was going to be nothing there for me to eat.  I decided I would bring my usual soup, and make a dessert for everyone to share.  I figured that apple crisp was something that people wouldn't turn their nose up at if it was vegan, since there really isn't much in a normal recipe that would be considered non-vegan (maybe a little butter).  I made it from scratch the night before, and it smelled amazing.  Unfortunately, I didn't really have enough apples, and so the ratios were off.  I like a lot of the topping (I always double it), but this didn't work with the lack of apples I had.  I still tasted delicious, but I would have tasted better if I had more apples.

Christmas got even crazier this year, as I had decided to host my family on
Christmas Day for dinner.  It worked to my benefit, seeing as how I could prepare vegan foods that I could eat, but it was a lot of work.  The Saturday prior, I ended up spending the entire day cleaning.  Sunday was groceries and dinner at my inlaws (not vegan, so I had to prep and bring my own dinner and dessert); Christmas Eve was making dessert and the stuffed squash for Christmas Day; and then Christmas Day was opening presents and a lot of cooking.

Stuffed Squash
Maple Carrots
Peppermint-Chocolate
Mousse

As far as my menu went, I made stuffed acorn squash (totally delicious), mashed potatoes (which turned out ok, but were headed for disaster when the recipe didn't go as planned), maple glazed carrots (also delish), stuffing (which didn't even make it to the table because it didn't turn out at all - but also wasn't vegan (and I hate stuffing) so no loss to me), a turkey roast for the meat eaters and, finally, the most delicious chocolate peppermint mousse (there are four Lindt bars in there!).  I decided against cooking an actual bird because I didn't want a carcass laying around, and certainly didn't want leftovers.  Because everything had to come together very quickly, and I was totally sweating and starving, I completely forgot about taking photos.  I did remember to take a couple of some of the leftovers. 

Gardein Crispy Chick'n

One thing that was a total lifesaver this Christmas, was being able to turn to "junk" vegan food in a pinch.  I'm trying to stick to whole foods as much as possible and skip all the extra additives in the processed food.  Although I could notice a difference in how I felt when I re-introduced additives, I still haven't felt as bad as I did before going vegan. The big game changer for me was finding Gardein products.  Their Crispy Chick'n is amazing!  The Porkless Bites are also pretty good, and I'm looking forward to trying the Beefless Tips that are currently in my freezer.  I also discovered So Delicious coconut milk ice cream bars - which is awesome for me because the hardest thing for me to think about giving up forever is ice cream, and I love coconut, so this was a great find.  I also purchased a vegan trio of desserts from M&M Meat Shop.  The trio includes nanaimo bars, brownies (which I highly recommend eating at room temperature), and chocolate-coconut bars.  They were so nice to have around during the holidays.

THE GIFTS

I was spoiled!  The first surprised I received was when I came down the stairs and noticed that my stocking was full.  Normally this would not be a surprise; however, in our family your stocking is always filled with candy (mostly chocolate)  on Christmas morning.  My husband had told me that he was confused as to what to put in it, and I had made a few suggestions of non-candy items he could add, but he wasn't having any of it.  So to see anything in my stocking was a bit of shock. The first item I opened was Swedish Berries (which I love), and as I started checking the ingredients he remarked that they're vegan.  He had Googled vegan snacks to find out what candy I could have, and then bought them.  I thought this was incredibly thoughtful!  Along with the Swedish Berries, I also received black Twizzlers and Skittles.  I know there are a lot of chemicals and sugar in them, but I was allowing myself to eat the junk during the two weeks of Christmas holidays, and then I'd go back to my healthy ways after that.  My body certainly showed me that it prefers the healthy stuff, so going back will not be an issue!

My next surprise was Mickey Mouse pajamas, which are so cozy and warm, and a food
processor/chopper.  I'm also excited to report I received an Instant Pot and the cookbook Vegan Under Pressure.  These, however, were not much of a surprise since I picked up the Instant Pot at the post office one night.  Amazon did not do a great job of hiding the box  - they just stuck the postage label to the outside of it!  I have yet to try the Instant Pot, but look forward to incorporating it into my routine.  I find it a bit intimidating at the moment, to be honest.  I'm afraid I may blow up the house!

All in all, it was a really great Christmas spent with family.  I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful, thoughtful, loving and giving family.  There isn't anyone else I would rather spend my time with, or take this journey with.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~ Alisa ~