Thanksgiving!

Hello all! I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving festivities. Being back at work certainly sucks a fat one, doesn't it?

Remember how I promised to make "Hamburger Helper" again and post pictures? Well, here goes.

My aunts are also vegan so we coordinated a Thanksgiving menu to share at my gram's house, the traditional gathering place for all major holidays. Please note that all the food at her house is extremely non-vegan. And delicious. I stared at it for a good 20 minutes, total.

Our menu consisted of Hamburger Helper, mashed potatoes, a sweet potato dish, and some fudgey dessert. I believe there was also an apple crisp, but I can't be certain. The dessert table is a magical area of the room filled with delectable treats. It's not easy to look past the pie, trust me...because I ate some and it was divine.

Vegan Hamburger Helper, as I've mentioned in the past, is super easy to make and simply delightful. The proof is in the pictures:

The set up

'Cheese' sauce, 'meat' crumbles (browned for about 10 minutes) and quinoa pasta (cooked according to the package directions)

I prepared the 'cheese' sauce as I always do, but I also added Daiya Cheese to make it cheesier.

After the pasta was done and the 'meat' crumbles browned, I added everything to a gigantic pot and stirred it all together.

I also added garlic powder, pepper, and Herbamare for more flavor.

All in all, a very easy recipe with lots of flavor and protein. My aunts seemed to really enjoy it so I'd say it is a winner! The next time I make it, I'm going Mexican-style. I can't get enough cumin. I just can't.

The Post That Isn't a Post

Cryptic, eh?

I know it's been awhile since I've checked in with y'all. Honestly, my life has been pretty much one of three things:

1. obsessing over The Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead and Boardwalk Empire.
2. making 'chips' out of wheat/gluten-free tortillas so I can eat all the guacamole possible. I can't get enough avocado in my body.
3. working my ass off Insanity-style.

I've been eating basically the same things that I've already shared with you. [I know, I know. Super exciting.]  Okay FINE, I cheated once or twice. Bacon gets me EVERY.TIME. I'm not going to try to make any excuses. I wanted bacon and so I ate it. I felt incredibly fat and guilty. It was mostly worth it.

I made one new, delicious dish, but I forgot to take pictures [sad face]. Because I'm a big douche and I forgot to take pictures, I considered not posting it buuuuut it's just too good to not share! I promise I'll make it again soon and post some pictures for you.

Dying to know what it is? It's Vegan "Hamburger" Helper! [Pause for applause and general gasps of awe].  Super easy to make and MUCH healthier than the meaty counterpart. I used quinoa pasta, Quorn ground 'meat' crumbles, and the Vegan Cheese Sauce, topped with fresh parsley. It was delicious, hearty, and comforting: a perfect balance to the cold weather!

I'll make it again this week and post pictures and the official recipe!