Sunday, October 16, 2011

Vegan MoFo Day 16: I Won(!), Veganversary, and Cookies for Breakfast!


Good morning everyone! I'm going to warn you, today's post is going to be so full of awesomeness and happy things that confetti and glitter and balloons may shoot out of your screen! I can't be responsible for the mess ;)

I woke up feeling MUCH better than I did yesterday and saw the sun shining and felt the brisk cool autumn air as I went out to grab a cup of coffee.  Then I decided to check out the results of some giveaways that I had entered and to my total surprise I WON!!!! I am so thankful that Celyn at Miso For Breakfast popped in here to comment on a post because that led me over to her amazing blog. What did I win you ask?


A copy of The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen! I am SO EXCITED! I've wanted this book for a long time but never picked it up so I can't wait to read it and maybe class my cooking up a bit ;) Thanks again Celyn!!

Now, let me explain that this win comes at the PERFECT time. Today, my friends, is my 2nd Veganversary! 2 years ago today I made the decision after being a vegetarian for 8 years to take the next step and go vegan. I have not looked back. I'm happier and healthier than I have ever been. I'm more adventurous and creative in my cooking and eating. It was the best decision I've ever made. Next month I'll be 10 years meat free...2 of them being vegan. I'm debating a tattoo commemorating the milestone. I'll let you know if I decide to go for it!

So, breakfast is the only meal that I have today to really celebrate this milestone and my very first giveaway win...so it should be good, and special. What better way to celebrate than with cookies for breakfast!! No silly, not actual cookies, but how about Chocolate Covered Katie's Cookie Dough Oatmeal Cake?! All of the deliciousness of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie without all of the calories and fat...eaten right out of the oven.  Count me in!!


Here are the dry ingredients all mixed up. I decided to add a few walnuts and a sprinkling of coconut. Yeah, that's just how I roll ;)


Here it is all ready to go in the oven. Katie gives a lot of leeway in the recipe so I decided to use the mashed banana instead of applesauce, 1 packet of stevia as the sweetener, no added fat and you better believe I put in that cinnamon ;)


Here it is right out of the oven with a few chocolate chips and walnuts sprinkled on top. Doesn't hurt right? ;) Look how beautiful it is, AND it makes the house smell like fresh baked cookies. So amazing.



I decided to take a second while I was devouring this warm bowl of yum to take more pics. Yes, that is the bamboo fork that goes with the spoon (I have a knife and chopsticks to round out the set too). This meal was so delicious. I think next time I may try pumpkin instead of banana and I may drop the oats down to 1/3 of a cup to see if it is more gooey. It was drier than I like my oatmeal so we'll see how that works. Oh and one last thing, don't be like me and forget to spray the ramekin! Whoops! Luckily it wasn't too bad and I was able to scrub it clean but I'm sure life would have been easier if I had greased it properly.

]

Finally, check out this amazing nail color I have on right now! It is bright pink and a little glittery. Can't wait to get those pink gloves on with these nails :)

OK I should stop rambling and finish getting ready for work. I hope you all get to enjoy this beautiful Sunday! I may be at work but at least I'll be outside to enjoy the weather.  Later kids!



13 comments:

  1. Woo hoo! Happy veganversary! I think you're absolutely right - vegans do have more in the kitchen, and we are more adventurous. We're probably better people, too. ;)

    The oatmeal / cookie looks amazing! Almost good enough to make me not have a green smoothie this morning. . .

    Have a great day at work!

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  2. Happy 2 year veganversary and congratulations on winning that cook book. I can't wait to hear how you like it. That's one that I've considered getting myself.
    Cookie dough... Oatmeal... Oh man. I may have to go in the kitchen and make that right now! That is so right down my alley! :0)

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  3. Hooray for winning giveaways, and happy veganversary! Your oatmeal cake sounds great, and I am all for nail polish bonus shots.

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  4. Congratulations on both the anniversary and winning the book :) Awesome looking breakfast. You can't go wrong when there are chocolate-chips involved.

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  5. This is truly the bestest day ever!!!! Wonder if it's all down hill after this?

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  6. Yay for winning & veganniversarys & celebratory breakfasts & pretty nails!!

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  7. Congrats on the veganiversary and the book! It's really well done. Can't wait to see some meals from it!
    Have you heard about the Teal Nail project? I can't keep up with these things.

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  8. Congrats and Happy Veganniversary!! I agree, there's no looking back once you go vegan, and cooking is so much more fun!

    I have that book too; there are some nice recipes in there. Although, I have to say, I think it's a bit disappointing that he just tells you to use Gardein instead of actually formulating his own meat analog recipe. I think it's because Gardein sponsors him or vice versa.

    Anyhoo, your oatmeal cake looks scrumptious and your nails are so vibrant and pretty!

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  9. Thanks so much everyone!!

    Ingrid - Thanks! Trust me, if there is any reason to stray from the green smoothie it is for that baked oatmeal!

    Michelle - Thanks! I'll definitely let you know how the book is!

    Celyn - Hooray for winning YOUR giveaway!! :) The oatmeal was amazing and I'm glad you liked the nail polish! It is such a fun, bright color!

    Isobelle - Thanks! And I agree, chocolate makes everything good in the world.

    Shen - It was indeed downhill after this :) The catering hall apparently had no idea how to accommodate a vegan and all I ate since breakfast was some pineapple and a small bunch of grapes.

    vegan.in.brighton. - Yay indeed! Thanks for stopping in!

    FF - Thanks! Can't wait to try meals from it :) I hadn't heard about it until you brought it up but it seems like I'm too late. Oh well, next time.

    Rose - Thanks! I know he has close ties with Gardein so it doesn't surprise me. I'll have to make my own substitutes anyway though since gardein products are pretty much all have gluten in them. The oatmeal cake was amazing and yay for fun nails!

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  10. Congrats on your veganversary! That oatmeal cake looks so good. I love chocolate and coconut together.

    Pretty nailpolish. It does match your gloves!

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  11. Thanks Sage! The oatmeal was so delicious and I love that combo too. And thanks, I've been trying to be more bright with my nail polish lately :)

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  12. A giveaway win and cute pink nails! Congrats!

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