Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

First and foremost, I need to give credit where it is due. My friend Melody's daughter, Iris, came up with the idea to add blueberries to cookies. It turned out to be a delectable dessert we'll definitely be making again.

For the recipe I used dried blueberries, but I am sure freeze dried, frozen or fresh would work well too. If you try out another kind, please let me know how it works out.

Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine (I use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
1/3 cup applesauce
2 /3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups oats
2/3 cup dried blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream together the margarine and sugar. Next add applesauce, vanilla, and baking soda and mix. Blend in the flour until well combined, and then mix in the oats and blueberries.

Spoon a tablespoon of cookie dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (unless it is non-stick, then skip it). Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown around edges.

Calling All Bakers for the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale

Yep, it is that time of year again. We are fast approaching the infamous Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale. It is an excellent opportunity to show off your baking skills, and gorge yourself on delectable vegan junk food.

If you are located in the Twin Cities, please come on by the Animal Rights Coalition on Saturday April 21st from 10 AM to 4 pm. There is still plenty of time to plan to bake for the sale, just contact mnveganbakesale@gmail.com for more details.

If you are new to this annual extravaganza, let me fill you in on the nitty gritty details. It was first started in 2009 with the proceeds going toward various animal causes. Since its beginning year, a $100,000 has been raised for charity. That is some serious moola in bake sale land.

Check out the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale's web site for a list of participating sales around world. It runs from April 21st through the 29th.

If there isn't one near you, consider organizing one. The central site provides helpful tips on how to get started, what to bake, advertising, etc. Heck, it has even been covered by CNN and VegNews the past couple years.

You need not be an expert baker to participate. If you simply can't imagine producing baked goods, you certainly can come out to buy some. Hope to see you there!

Simple Spring Taco Pizza

First off, please excuse my prolonged absence. I have been dealing with some health issues. Since health comes first and foremost, I had to put this on hold. Luckily I think I've got all that business worked out now.

My family loves taco night, and I wanted to try a fun, new approach to spice things up a bit. One day this popped into my head, and now I finally got around to trying it out.

There really isn't a recipe required. It is just that simple. We used two frozen organic corn meal crusts, fat free refried black beans, and taco toppings. Ours had onions, tomatoes, and avocado. It would also be great to try it out with vegan cheese sprinkles, guacamole, and hot sauce.

Before adding the refried beans to the crust, bake crust in the oven until it is starting to brown (according to package directions). Remove from the oven and layer on the refried beans, then layer with toppings. Bake for 4-5 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are feeling particularly ambitious, this homemade cornmeal crust would be a great place to start.

Double Chocolate Mini Bundt Cake with Fresh Raspberries

Today is a special day for our family. It was our firstborn son Oliver's birthday. We are blessed with two living children, but sadly he died six years ago on his due date. He was born still.

While it is a day which brings back memories of deep sorrow, today we focus on the precious gifts he bestowed upon us. Our family has learned to live each day to the fullest, appreciate each other, and treat others gently during trying times.

Since our children are little, they associate birthdays with cake, so each year we make one in Oliver's honor. We go to Westwood Nature Center to visit his memorial bench, and read stories from books our family has donated there. It is our way of acknowledging and remembering his life.

If you have children, be they furry or not, give them a kiss and hug today. Snuggle up and enjoy the moment. These times are the highlights of our days.

The cake was made using the wacky/crazy cake recipe. I haven't tried it with a full size bundt cake yet, but it worked well for four mini ones.

Double Chocolate Bundt Mini Cake


3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 cups water
2 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat pans with a layer of shortening sprinkled with flour or baking spray. Sift together dry ingredients. Add in wet ingredients, and mix until just combined.

Fill pan 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool ten minutes, and then flip out of the pan.

Chocolate Glaze


1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 powdered sugar
2-3 Tbsp. chocolate soy/coconut/almond/hemp milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk together ingredients until it has the consistency of thick syrup. If it is too runny, add another tablespoon of powdered sugar, and if too thick add a little more non-dairy milk. Drizzle over the cake and add fresh washed raspberries in the middle.

Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie for your Vegan Valentine

Our eldest can't get enough lemonade, and the youngest raspberries. I took both of them and put them together. They slurped it right up (literally they are still little).

You could add some flax meal or chia seeds to up the protein content of the smoothie if you so desire. This was our answer to sweet tooth dessert requests.


Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie


1 10 oz. bag of frozen organic raspberries
1/2 cup almond milk
1 6 oz. cup of vanilla yogurt
Juice of two meyer lemons
1-2 Tbsp. agave nectar (optional)

Why Meyer lemons? They are a bit sweeter and in season right now. During other times of the year it would be fine to substitute. Tomorrow I am making some vegan chocolates. Stay tuned!

And the Winners of Gardein Contest Are....

My husband kept asking if he could enter the giveaway, and while we'd both love to win, obviously that couldn't happen. He's got his eyes on some of their new products.

In the meantime, Gardein is having their own contest, and I highly recommend you go enter.

Yesterday we had a nice time chowing on chunkamole, Crisp Seven Grain Tenders, and spicy hummus. I had grand plans for making all this delicious food to share, but went and got sick the day before. I'll spare you the details and get down to the business at hand.

And the two lucky winner are (drum roll)................Rachael and Michele P.

They both won three free product coupons and a "Cheat on Meat" t-shirt. I've contacted them for their addresses, and unless I don't hear from them by Saturday, February 11th, the giveaway is officially closed. Otherwise I'll use my handy dandy random number generator to select a new winner.

Right now, Circle of Moms is running a top 25 Vegetarian and Vegan Mom Blogs. I'd be ever so grateful if you supported me there. There is no need to sign up for anything.

My Vegan Valentine's Gift

What better way to show you care, than to prepare a special dessert or meal for your loved one(s). Over the past few years, I've always made different treats for my family. Strawberries are the perfect way to naturally color and better yet, flavor Valentine treats.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Strawberry Almond Iced Sugar Cookies

Strawberry Iced or Powdered Donuts

It's time to break out of the strawberry fixation, and move on to raspberries or something else pink/red. I've made truffles for vegan bake sales before. This year, I'll make them for my family and friends. That or a raspberry chocolate tart. Oh, it is hard to decide. We definitely don't need both around.