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3/1/2021

Double Chocolate Muffins

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A sweet and moist chocolate muffing with chocolate chips, these double chocolate muffins 
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Recipe

Ingredients

​1  1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup cane sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 tsp mint extract*
1/3 cup olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Grease a 12-muffin muffin pan with some additional oil.  
  2. In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, and 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips.
  3. In a smaller bowl, mix together the "milk", applesauce, mint extract, and olive oil.
  4. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir until there are no streaks of flour left. 
  5. Pour the batter evenly in the muffin pan, sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips, and place in the oven to bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
  6. Allow to cool for about five minutes or more before removing from the pan and serving.  ​Enjoy!
*You can replace with vanilla extract if you'd like, but mint extract requires much less water to produce as compared to vanilla which needs 15,159 gallons of water to produce a single pound of vanilla beans.  Mint however, only needs 35 gallons of water to produce a pound of mint leaves.  That's 433 times less!
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2/28/2021

"cheesy"  PopCorn

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The perfect movie time snack and great for munching on, this "cheesy" popcorn is very easy to make and ready in under 5 minutes!  
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Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup yellow popcorn kernels 
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1 tbsp. melted vegan butter-flavored coconut oil*
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
*You can use almost any vegetable oil instead. 

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the coconut oil and salt.  
  2. Place the un-popped kernels in an air popper and catch the pop corn in the large bowl.  Mix thoroughly so that everything is evenly coated.  
  3. Add in the nutritional yeast and garlic powder and mix thoroughly until evenly coated. 
  4. Serve while warm and enjoy!
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2/23/2021

Valentine's Day Tea Party

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With lots of hearts and sweet treats, this is how my mom surprised my sister and I this past Valentine's Day!
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The first thing that caught my eye when I walked in the room was the centerpiece that held all of the sweets.  There were baked treats as well as some Delishfish on the top.  Another gummy that would work well for a Valentine's Day tea party is RJs licorice since it's red, sweet, and comes in bite-sized pieces!
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On the center tier were some heart-shaped vegan rice crispy treats that had been dyed purple.  These can be made by melting 4 tbsp. coconut oil in a large pan along with a 10oz bag on Dandies marshmallows and a few drops of purple vegan food coloring.  Once melted, add 5 cups of crisp rice cereal and mix well.  Quickly, while still warm, shape into hearts with a cookie cutter or by hand.  
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On the bottom tier were the heart-shaped sugar cookies which were delicious!  They were Vegan Empire's sugar cookie recipe, but contained lemon extract instead of vanilla extract.  Also, the icing was made by combining 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 tbsp. lemon juice, a few drops of pink vegan food coloring, and 1 to 2 tbsp. water.  If it's too runny, simply add some more sugar, and if too stiff, add some more water.  
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Last but not least, on the white table runner, surrounding the centerpiece were hearts made from felt which had been individually cut out by hand.  They added a very nice touch to the entire tea party!
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Please feel free to share pictures of you Valentine's Day tea party on Vegan Empire's Facebook page!

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2/23/2021

Mardi Gras Donuts

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Both delicious and perfect for Mardi Gras, these donuts are easy to make and bursting with color!
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Recipe

Ingredients 

Donut:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cane sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp. plant-based milk*
1
 tbsp. applesauce
1 tbsp. melted vegan butter flavored coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
1/2 cup cane sugar
1/4 cup melted vegan butter flavored coconut oil
2 to 3 drops green, yellow, and purple vegan food coloring

​*Learn more about the different types of plant-based milks here.

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a donut pan with some additional coconut oil. 
  2. To make the donut, use a fork to whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Pour the "milk", applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well. 
  3. Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling about 3/4 full. 
  4. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until golden brown (depending on the pans size and how much you fill it, this could take longer).
  5. Allow to cool for at least 2 minutes before removing from the pan and allowing to cool further. 
  6. To make the topping, divide the sugar in 3 small bowl.  Add 2 to 3 drops of yellow food coloring to the first bowl and mix thoroughly.  Add 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring to the second bowl and mix thoroughly.  Add 2 to 3 drops of purple food coloring to the third bowl and mix thoroughly.  
  7. Once the donuts have cooled, dip both sides in the melted coconut oil and then dip in one of the colored sugars. 
  8. Serve and enjoy!
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2/16/2021

Pancakes

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Light and fluffy, these tasty pancakes are the perfect treat for any morning!
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Recipe

Ingredients

1  1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp. cane sugar
1 cup coconut (or oat) milk
1/2 cup water
2
 tbsp. melted coconut oil

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
  2. Pour the milk, water, and coconut oil into the dry mixture, mixing with a spoon until just combined; making sure not to overmix.  
  3. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat.  Grease with some additional coconut oil and pour about 1/3 cup of batter in the pan.  Cook until bubbles form, flip, and cook until golden brown on both sides.  Repeat until all of the batter has been cooked.  
  4. Serve while still warm with your favorite vegan pancake toppings, such as maple syrup, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream!
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2/10/2021

Plant-Based Milks

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There are a several different types of plant-based milk alternatives, and they are all better than dairy milk, but which one of them is the best? 
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As with any agricultural product, it is important to make sure that plant-based milks that you purchase are organic.  This isn't just for you safety, avoiding the consumption of toxic chemicals, but also to that of the environment.  Those chemicals seep into the groundwater and make their way into oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.  Bees who pollinate the crops, especially almonds, are poisoned because of the chemicals and are dying as a result, so please be very careful!
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Cow Milk

Just for comparison, we've included the amount of water needed and the amount of carbon dioxide released in the production of just one glass (200mL) of cow's milk.  As you can see, not only is raising cows for their milk cruel, but it is also harmful for the environment.

Water Required*

125.3 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.63 kilograms carbon dioxide
*For a 200mL glass of milk
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1. Rice Milk

Rice milk requires less than half the amount of water needed to make a glass of cow's milk, but it still needs a lot.  Also, rice milk production releases less than half the amount of carbon dioxide than traditional dairy milk.  

Water Required*

53.81 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.24 kilograms carbon dioxide
* For a 200mL glass of "milk"
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2. Oat milk 

Of all these plant-based milks, oat milk requires the least amount of water, and releases a smaller amount of carbon dioxide compared to other options.  It is slightly sweet, and works great in desserts!

Water Required*

9.62 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.18 kilograms carbon dioxide
*For a 200mL glass of "milk"
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3. Almond Milk

Although almond milk is the "milk" from this list that produces the least amount of carbon dioxide, it isn't very good for the environment.  This is because it requires an incredibly large** amount of water to produce a single glass; a whopping 74.1 liters!

Water Required*

74.1 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.14 kilograms carbon dioxide
*For a 200mL glass of "milk"
**It takes 1.1 liters of water to grow a single almond!
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4. Pea Milk

Even though I've personally never had straight up pea milk, I have had pea-based ice cream sandwiches as well as chocolate milk made from peas.  Those are absolutely delicious, and they aren't the best when it comes to the required water, but they don't releases much carbon dioxide.

Water required*

​59.4 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.19 kilograms carbon dioxide
For a 200mL glass of "milk"
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Summarize 

Of these 4 plant-based milk alternatives, these are the milks ranked in order from best to worst, based on the identified criteria.  In both scenarios (water footprint and carbon footprint), cow's milk in the worst option for the environment.  

Water Footprint

  1. Oat milk - 9.62L
  2. Rice milk - 53.81L
  3. Pea milk - 59.4L
  4. Almond milk - 74.1L
  5. Cow's milk - 125.3L

Carbon Footprint

  1. Almond milk - 0.14kg
  2. Oat milk - 0.18kg
  3. Pea Milk - 0.19kg
  4. Rice Milk - 0.24kg
  5. Cow's Milk - 0.63kg
These aren't the only milk alternatives, as there are many others for you to try! 

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2/8/2021

Game Day Buffet

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Whether it's soccer, football, hockey, or the "Puppy Bowl", these appetizers are tasty snacks to munch on while you watch the game!
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These cauliflower buffalo wings are crispy and spicy, bursting with flavor; simple serve with a side of vegan ranch!
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A tasty, creamy spinach dip, paired with slices of a soft French bread, Vegan Empire's French bread and spinach dip are sure to be a crowd pleaser!  
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Wholefoods' 365 organic "Tator Puffs" make a great addition to a game day buffet.  You just have to pop them in the oven and you've got yourself an easy, and tasty, snack.  They're slightly crispy on the outside, and super soft in the inside!
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Late July's sea salt and lime tortilla chips are great on their own, but they're even better when they're dipped in Siete's mild nacho cashew-based dip!
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You can also dip the Late July chips in some homemade guacamole.  Just mash 2 avocados in a medium-sized bowl and mix in 2 to 3 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. onion powder, and some salt and black pepper to taste.  You can also add some red pepper flakes for some extra spice!
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What's a party without dessert?  These double chocolate fudge brownies are great treats for your sports get-together!
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So that everyone can join in on the fun, you can fill a root beer bottle with apple juice to look like beer! 
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You can share pictures of your game day buffet on Vegan Empire's Facebook page.  We can't wait to see how it goes!
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2/8/2021

Spinach Dip

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Creamy and bursting with flavor, this classic spinach dip is the perfect appetizer for any party or get-together! 
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This tasty spinach dip pairs perfectly with Vegan Empire's French Bread!
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Recipe

Ingredients

1  8oz tub Violife cream cheese
1/2  cup vegan mayonnaise 
4 - 5 cups fresh spinach (about 9oz), chopped
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, spinach, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder in a mixing bowl. Mix well and stir in the salt and pepper.
  2. Serve and enjoy!

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2/8/2021

Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies

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These tasty fudgy brownies are sweet treats with just the right amount of texture; perfect for a vegan ice cream sundae!
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Recipe

Ingredients 

1 cup vegan chocolate chips, melted + 1 cup un-melted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 flax eggs (1 flax egg = 1 tbsp. flax seed + 3 tbsp. water.  Mix well and let sit for at least 10 minutes)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.  Grease a 8x8" square pan with some additional coconut oil and line with some parchment paper.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda. 
  3. In a separate, large mixing bowl, combine the flax eggs, sugar, and coconut oil and mix until thoroughly combined.  Mix in the water and vanilla extract.
  4. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.  Pour in the melted chocolate and mix thoroughly.
  5. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the greased pan.  Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Allow to cool, cut, and serve with your favorite vegan brownie toppings.  Enjoy!
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2/8/2021

World's Easiest French Bread

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A soft bread with a crisp crust, this tasty French bread is easy to make and ready in about an hour!
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Recipe

Ingredients

1  1/2 cups warm water
1 tbsp. maple syrup
1  1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp. active dry yeast
3  1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the water, maple syrup, salt, and yeast, cover with a kitchen towel, place in a warm spot, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes; until frothy. 
  2. Add 3 and 1/2 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and knead, gradually adding more flour until it no longer sticks to your hands but holds its shape. 
  3. Shape into a loaf, cover with a kitchen towel, and set in a warm spot to rise for 20 minutes. 
  4. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  5. Once the dough has risen, cut some slits on the top and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden. 
  6. Serve and enjoy!
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2/7/2021

"Under the Sea" Party

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Aquatic creatures, festive decorations, and tasty food, this "Under the Sea" party is perfect for any ocean lover's birthday!  Here's the surprise party that I planned for my mom's birthday. 
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To decorate the table, I laid out a shiny teal tablecloth, reminiscent of the sea, which looked great but made a big mess since pieces of sequin kept on falling off.  I also tied 6 blue biodegradable balloon to the back of my mom's chair (since she's the birthday girl) and placed the cake in the center of the table, surrounded with some small plastic dolphins. 

I made a white and blue marble cake, with marshmallow fondant sea turtles, which everyone liked!  I also added some cake crumbs beneath the larger turtle to resemble sand, and 2 vegan chocolate chips for eyes (some toothpicks were also required to support the head).   
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These turtle LED lights also added a nice ambiance to the party; especially at night while we were having dinner!  There are several modes that you can choose from, and you can adjust the brightness to suit your needs (I personally like the "candle" mode).  
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We also snacked on some Delishfish throughout the day (they're basically a vegan version of Swedish fish), and for breakfast I made "Squidamon rolls" (cinnamon rolls shaped like squid with chocolate chip eyes) which were almost too cute to eat!  
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I also decorated the entertainment unit with a foil curtain and a balloon garland, as well as 2 dolphin-shaped balloons.
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The dolphin balloons that I used came in a pack of 2, and I'm glad that they are reusable.  At first I was a bit confused about how to inflate them, but then I found out that you can insert a straw (please use the reusable ones) into the circle where you add the helium and blow into that.  Then, to prevent the air from coming out, I taped the space shut.  

The foil curtain doesn't say that it's reusable, but if it's folded correctly and the 2-sided tape isn't used (I use standard tape to stick it wherever I want), you can put it away and store until next time!
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Last but not least, I wrapped the presents in blue tissue paper, along with cute octopus and turtle stuffed animals! 
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Please share pictures of your "Under the Sea" party on our Facebook page.  We can't wait to see what you come up with!

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2/7/2021

Marshmallow Fondant

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Easy to make, fun to decorate with, and tasty to eat, this marshmallow fondant is perfect for making any cake!
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Recipe

Ingredients

1  10oz bag Dandies mini marshmallows*
3 tbsp. water
4 to 6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
​A few drops vegan food coloring  (optional)
*You can use regular-sized marshmallows instead, but the mini ones are easier to melt.  

Directions

  1. In a large pot, mix together the water and marshmallows until they are all covered.  Turn on the heat to low and mix continuously until there are no lumps left.  Turn off the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.  Allow to cool slightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar.
  3. Add the marshmallow mixture and knead together.  If the fondant is too sticky, add some more sugar, and if it's too dry and crumby, add a bit more water.   
  4. ​Knead in a few drops of food of food coloring (if using) and shape however you want.  Enjoy! 

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2/7/2021

Marble Cake

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A moist, fluffy cake with a colorful interior, this 2-tier marble cake is easy to make with a light and airy buttercream frosting!
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Recipe

Ingredients

For the cake:
5
 cups all-purpose flour
4 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3 cups cane sugar
1  1/2 cup melted vegan butter-flavored coconut oil
3 cups coconut milk
4 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp. vanilla extract

For the buttercream:
2 cups butter-flavored coconut oil
6 cups powdered sugar
4-6 tbsp. coconut milk, at room temperature*

2 tsp vanilla extract
​A few drops vegan food coloring (optional)
*If the coconut milk is too cold, the frosting will clump up, and if it's too hot, it'll be runny.  

Directions

  1. To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease 4* 8-9" cake pans with some additional coconut oil.  
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and sugar until thoroughly combined.
  3. Pour in the coconut oil, coconut milk, vinegar, and vanilla.  Mix with a spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix. 
  4. Pour about a 1/4 of the batter into a separate, smaller bowl and mix in a few drops of vegan food coloring until you have your desired shade. 
  5. Pour 1/4 of the uncolored batter into each of the cake pans.  Pour 1/4 of the colored batter in the cake pan and use the spoon to create the marble design by swirling the batters together.  
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (insert the toothpick in the center).
  7. Allow the cakes to cool for at least 10 minutes before removing them from the pan, then allow them to cool thoroughly before frosting. 
  8. To make the frosting, beat the coconut oil with an electric mixer until creamy.  While still mixing on low to medium speed, slowly pour in the sugar.  Once well combined, add the vanilla extract and food coloring, then the coconut milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.  Increase the speed and beat until light and fluffy.  
  9. Once the cake has cooled thoroughly, frost the first layer, top with the second layer, and then frost the entire tier.  Carve the second tier into your desired shape, frost, and place on top of the first tier. 
  10. Decorate as you wish, serve, and enjoy!

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2/7/2021

"Enchanted Tiki Room" Party

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Based off of Disney's "Enchanted Tiki Room", this is a very festive party; with tropical birds, fruity flavors, and cheerful music!  Here's how my mom planned my Enchanted Tiki Room birthday party this year.  
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Of course, every birthday party needs a cake, and this vegan coconut cream cake goes perfectly with the tropical theme!  Vegan candles can be difficult to find, but these* are 100% vegan and safe to use! 

To create the perfect centerpiece for the table, my mom purchased a few faux palm leaves and placed the cake stand on top, with a pink lei wrapped around the base. There was also a Hawaiian table skirt wrapped around most of the table.

*These candles contain palm oil, and normally this is harmful to the environment and orangutans since harvesting palm oil destroys the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia.  However, this specific company (GoodLight) cares about the environment and plants trees in the rainforest as well as supports the Orangutan Trust Fund.  Please be very careful when it comes to palm oil, or there will be serious effects on the planet and all who call her home!
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This coconut cake is very light and fluffy, and absolutely delicious! 
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To drink, we had some tropical fruit punch served in these beautiful tiki glasses.
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Of course, what's an Enchanted Tiki Room without the birds?!  To set this up, my mom pushed the living room coffee table up against the entertainment unit and made a garland from the faux palm leaves.  She also placed a few of the leaves on the table and set up the presents with 5 tropical bird stuffed animals and a lei!
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Feel free to share pictures of you Enchanted Tiki Room party with us on our Facebook page; can't wait to see how your party goes!

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1/23/2021

Creamy Alfredo

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This is the perfect alfredo sauce, both creamy and savory, and absolutely delicious!  
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Recipe

Ingredients

1lb your favorite pasta
3 tbsp. vegan butter flavored coconut oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cup oat milk
1/3 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Sea salt, to taste

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a saucepan, add the coconut oil and garlic and heat until the coconut oil is melted.
  3. Add in the flour and briefly fry.  Then, add in the oat milk and vegetable broth.  Whisk to remove any lumps.
  4. Stir continuously until the sauce reaches a boil and thickens quite a bit (The sauce will thicken further as it cools). 
  5. Remove from the heat and add the black pepper, Dijon mustard, and nutritional.  Mix and add in the sea salt (to taste). 
  6. Combine the sauce and the cooked noodles, serve, and enjoy!
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1/23/2021

Peanut Butter Pie

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Sweet and dreamy, bursting with peanut butter richness, this is the perfect treat for any occasion!  
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Recipe

Ingredients

Crust:
28 vegan sandwich cookies
5 tbsp. vegan butter flavored coconut oil, melted
 
Filling:
1 cup peanut butter
8oz Violife cream cheese (at room temperature) 
1 cup powdered sugar
9oz tub cocowhip  

Chocolate Drizzle:
1 11.25oz can Nature's Own sweetened condensed coconut milk
​3 tbsp. cocoa powder

Directions

  1. Crust: ​Place the cookies in a food processor until you reach a sandy consistency.  Add in the melted butter and once combined, press the mixture into a 9" pie dish.
  2. Filling:  In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter and cream cheese.  Once well combined, add in the sugar and continue to mix.
  3. Once thoroughly combined, gently fold in the cocowhip.  
  4. Pour into the pie crust and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  5. Chocolate Drizzle:  In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the coconut condensed milk and cocoa powder, continuously stirring until thoroughly combined.  Allow to cool slightly before drizzling over the pie.
  6. Serve and enjoy!   

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1/22/2021

Vegan is Kindness

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1/21/2021

Yum Burger

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Not quite a hamburger, this "yum burger" is a tasty savory burger, bursting with flavor.  Just serve on a bun with a slice of Violife cheese and it's absolutely delicious!
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Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups hydrated TVP (hydrated with hot water)
4 - 5 tbsp. tapioca
2 tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder

3 cloves garlic, minced (if you don't have fresh garlic, you can usse 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic instead)
1 tbsp. smoke paprika

1 tbsp. nutritional yeast
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp salt 
black pepper, to taste
5 tbsp. 
1 slice vegan white bread

Directions

In a food processor, pulse the slice of bread until it turns into crumbs. 
Add in the TVP, cooked rice, soy sauce, paprika, nutritional yeast, tapioca, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, fresh garlic, salt, and black pepper and pulse a few times until everything is combined (Don't overmix.  You want there to still be some texture.)
In a large bowl, mix together the food processor mixture and the vital wheat gluten.  
Shape the mixture into 6 to 8 patties.
Cook in a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes on each side (until golden). 
Serve on your favorite burger buns and with the vegan condiments of your choice.  Enjoy! 
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1/9/2021

Grinch-mas

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Christmas is the merriest time of the year, with festive songs, Christmas decorations, and holiday treats, and this Grinch-mas party is a great way to celebrate!  Based on Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", this party features a menu perfect for all Whos!
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At my family's Grinch-mas celebration, the table was set with a red and white checkered tablecloth with matching napkins and a white table runner.  Placed in the middle of the table was a cute Grinch centerpiece that we all loved!
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The centerpiece was made from an upside down cake stand, topped with a cute Grinch plush.  Surrounding the cake stand were some homemade heart-shaped rice crispy treats made to resemble the Grinch's heart (I've included the recipe below)!
Grinch Plush
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Rice Crispy Ingredients:
10oz bag Dandies marshmallows*
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted 
5 cups rice crisp cereal 
A few drops green vegan food coloring

Rice Crispy Directions:
  1. In a large pot over low heat, melt together the marshmallows and coconut oil.  Add in a few drops of food coloring until you attain your desired shade.
  2. Remove from heat and mix in the cereal.  
  3. On a sheet of parchment paper**, spread out the mixture to your desired thickness.  Allow to cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
  4. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out as many crispy treats as you can. 
  5. Serve and enjoy! 
*Minis seem to work better but the traditional size works too.  
**If you don't have any heart-shaped cookie cutters, you can skip this step and simply shape the hearts with your hands.
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We also made mint chocolate fudge, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate chip cookies for our Grinch-mas celebration! 
Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies

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1/8/2021

Meatless Meatballs

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Crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, these meatless meatballs are full of flavor and easy to make! 
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I like making meatball subs with these meatless meatballs.  Simply serve on a warm bun with some vegan marinara sauce and a slice of Violife provolone!
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Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained 
2  1/2 tbsp. ground flax seed
6 tbsp. water
1/2 cup vegan breadcrumbs
1  1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  2. In a blender or food processor, blend chickpeas until crumby.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the flax seed and water.  Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the chickpeas and the flax seed mixture.
  5. Mix in the remaining ingredients (If too sticky, add in some more breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp. at a time, and if it is too dry, add some vegetable oil. You want the dough to be rollable with your hands.).
  6. Roll the dough into the shape of meatballs and place onto a greased baking sheet (you can use parchment paper instead).
  7. Bake for 20 to 25, flipping halfway through.
  8. Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

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1/8/2021

S'mores Cookies

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A soft, moist cookie with a sweet and fluffy marshmallow filling, these s'mores cookies are tasty treats perfect for cold rainy days! 
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Recipe

Ingredients

1  1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut oil or vegan butter-flavored coconut oil (at room temperature)
1/3 cup apple sauce
1 cup cane sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 – 6 tbsp. coconut milk
2/3 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips
9 large Dandies Marshmallows, cut in half*
*The best way to slice marshmallows is with a pair of kitchen scissors, not a knife.

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. 
  3. In a medium bowl, beat together the coconut oil, apple sauce, vanilla extract, and sugar until thoroughly combined.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until just combined.
  5. Mix in the chocolate chips and 3 to 6 tbsp. coconut milk, starting with 3 tbsp. and adding until the dough looks like traditional cookie dough.
  6. Scoop around 2 tbsp. of the dough and divide it in half.  Sandwich half of a marshmallow between the halves and seal the edges so that the marshmallows is no longer visible.  
  7. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
  8. Place evenly spaced on the baking sheet and bake for 7 to 9 minutes.
  9. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, serve, and enjoy!
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1/7/2021

Gingerbread Men

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A traditional holiday treat, these tasty gingerbread cookies are soft, sweet and perfect for decorating! 
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Decorating is one of the best parts of making gingerbread cookies; that and eating of course!  Instead of making the traditional gingerbread men, you can also turn them upside down and make cute little reindeer!  
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Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cookies:
3
 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp. ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice
1/2 cup vegan butter flavored coconut oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup applesauce*
1 tsp vanilla extract
​*you may need a bit more if the dough is too dry

For the icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
​2 to 3 tbsp. water

Directions

  1. To make the cookies, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the coconut oil and sugar with an electric mixer until light and airy. Add in the molasses and applesauce and continue to mix (If the dough looks curdled, don't worry, it'll be okay once the rest of the ingredients have been added). 
  3. Mix in the dry mixture until combined (do not overmix).  Add the flour and mix until it starts coming together.  Turn onto a floured surface and work it with your hands. 
  4. Place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper and top with another sheet.  Roll into a sheet about 1/4" thick and place in the refrigerator to chill for about 1 hour. 
  5. Preheat the oven to 400°F.  Once the dough has chilled, cut the gingerbread men with a cookie cutter and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  
  6. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are browned.  Allow to cool thoroughly before decorating.
  7. Meanwhile, make the icing by mixing together the powdered sugar and water in a small bowl until there are no clumps.  If too thick, add a bit more water, and if too wet, add a bit more powdered sugar*.
  8. Decorate the gingerbread men as you please!  Serve and enjoy!
*Only add the extra water and sugar a little bit at a time.  A small amount can make a big difference!
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1/7/2021

Coconut Cream Cake

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A moist coconut cake with an airy cream cheese frosting, covered with some shredded coconut, this coconut cream cake is a delicious dessert! 
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Recipe

Ingredients

For the cake:
2  1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1  1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup melted coconut oil 
1  1/2 cups coconut milk (not from a can)
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese frosting:
8 oz. Violife cream cheese
1/2 cup vegan butter flavored coconut oil (slightly softened but not melted)
3 - 4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:
1 cup shredded coconut or coconut flakes

Directions

  1. To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350°F. 
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and sugar. 
  3. Mix in the coconut oil, coconut milk, vinegar, and vanilla extract until just combined (if you over mix, the cake will not turn out fluffy).
  4. Pour the batter into 2 8" greased cake pans and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick (inserted in the center of the cake) comes out clean. 
  5. Allow to cool in the cake pans for about 10 minutes before removing.  They must be cooled thoroughly before frosting.
  6. Meanwhile, make the frosting by placing the cream cheese, coconut oil, 3 cups of powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
  7. Starting on low speed and slowly increasing to high speed, beat the ingredients until smooth.  If it is too runny, add another cup of powdered sugar. 
  8. Once the cake has thoroughly cooled, frost and top with the shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
  9. Serve and enjoy!

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1/7/2021

Sugar Cookies

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Soft, sweet, and buttery, these vegan sugar cookies are festive holiday treats that are perfect for virtually any occasion!  
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Around Christmastime, I enjoy decorating my sugar cookies like snowflakes, Christmas trees, and candy canes!
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These vegan food colorings are both colorful and cruelty-free!
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Recipe

Ingredients

Cookies:
3/4 cup vegan butter-flavored coconut oil (at room temperature)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp. coconut milk*
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
*If the dough is too dry, you may need an extra 1 to 2 tbsp.

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar

2 - 3 tbsp. water
A few drops vegan food coloring (until you attain your desired shade) 

Directions (Cookies)

  1. In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter-flavored coconut oil with a hand mixer until creamy (about 1 minute).  Mixing on high speed, add the sugar and beat until fluffy (about 2 to 3 minutes).
  2. Add in the coconut milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract and continue beating until everything is thoroughly combined.
  3. Add 1 cup of the flour to the wet mixture and sprinkle the top with the baking powder and salt.  Mix on low speed, until just combined and add another cup of the flour continuing to mix on low (make sure not to over mix).  The dough will look a bit crumby when it is in the bowl.  If it is too wet, add in the final 1/4 cup, and if it too dry, add 1 to 2 tbsp. of coconut milk.  
  4. Scoop the dough and use your hands to forms 2 balls.
  5. On a flat surface, sprinkle some flour on a sheet of parchment paper, then place one of the balls of dough on top. Sprinkle some flour on top of the dough and roll it into a layer about a 1/4 inch thick and place another layer of parchment paper on top so that the dough is sandwiched between them.  Repeat with the rest of the dough.
  6. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour.
  7. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with some parchment paper.
  8. Once the dough has chilled, cut it into whichever shapes you please and place the cookies onto the baking sheet.  Form the leftover dough into a ball and roll it out once again to make more cookies.  Continue doing so until all of the dough has been used.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly colored on top and around the edges. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing and letting cool.  They must be thoroughly cool before icing (the icing recipe is below). 
  10. Decorate and enjoy!

Directions (icing)

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and the water until there are no clumps left.  If it is too thick, add some water and if it is too runny, add some more sugar.
  2. Mix in a few drops of food coloring, until you attain your desired hue.  
  3. You're ready to decorate!
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12/9/2020

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

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A moist chocolate muffin with chocolate chips, this double chocolate muffin is a sweet breakfast treat!
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Recipe:

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cups cocoa powder 
2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup apple sauce
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup vegan chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
Add the coconut milk and wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 
Add the vegan chocolate chips and stir.
Scoop the batter evenly into a greased muffin pan, place in the oven, and bake for 24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing from the pan.  Enjoy!
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