I ♥ You: Valentine's Snack Plate

Before I talk Valentines, this is the last time I ask for your votes in the Circle of Moms contest.  Thank heavens says you - and me! Too bad this vegan mama of three didn't pull up, but I would have needed some 'divine interellenvention' to do so. For those of you that were sharing and retweeting and trying to bring in more votes, you know I'm appreciative, and just sorry I couldn't do more.  
-------------------------------------------
Now on to Valentine's...

Valentine's isn't just a day for romantic love.  And for me, it's the personal days between couples that are most significant - anniversaries, birthdays, and for mothers - mother's day. Those are the days to show your darling that they are treasured.

For me, Valentine's is more playful.  It's about showing love to anyone we want.  And I wanted to show our girls how much I love them with this.

It's a Valentine's Snack Plate.  This would be so much fun for a children's party.  Healthy finger-food snacking that is as delicious as it is pretty - and just so easy!  Popcorn surrounding Cocoa Cookie Dough Balls, with goji berries in the centre.  I wanted something red or pink for the middle, and because I had no fresh berries (and organic strawberries and raspberries are either hard to find or prohibitively expensive), I opted for goji berries.  But, you could use cranberries, or dried strawberries, or fresh grapes, or even clementines.  

These Cocoa Cookie Dough Balls are quickly catching on with my family and friends.  They take minutes to make, and have no added sweeteners - AND they can be made for school lunches with a nut-free option.

They can be found in my new book, Let Them Eat Vegan.  If you are planning to purchase LTEV, please do so on March 13th - details to follow.

For another Valentine's dessert, try my recipe for "Three's Company Pie".  What are YOU doing or making for Valentine's?

Valentine's Fair Trade Gifts + Chocolate Giveaway!

In time for Valentine's Day, Fair Trade USA has posted a Valentine's Day gift guide.  Not all of the items in their guide are vegan, but there are a few, and some different options (like the "Helping Haiti" bouquet).

And, the folks at Fair Trade USA are giving away 5 Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Quinoa bars to my readers!   To enter, go to my facebook page and comment on the "chocolate giveaway" post.  I am encouraging you to join my new fb page as I will be phasing out the other, please know that.  As part of my new website launch I am streamlining my social networking with the new site, so get on, skedaddle over and connect with me!

I can still use your votes in the CIRCLE OF MOMS contest.  All you have to do is click next to my entry.  That's it!  No registration needed.  And, you can vote once every 24 hours - and use different gadgets to do so (pc, ipad, iphone, etc).  Just a "click", couldn't be more simple!!

I've also announced the winner of Celebrate Vegan on my facebook page.  Thank you to those of you that have already joined my fb group.  You guys make the difference... more thumbs up!

Nava's Butterscotch Apples (plus some V-Day ideas)

Today I'm on a 'blog tour' with Nava Atlas, as she has just released her new cookbook "Vegan Express". Congrats Nava! :) I had the opportunity to test a recipe from Nava's new cookbook and post about it for all to enjoy! (btw, the photography in Vegan Express was done by our well-loved Susan Voisin... totally cool!)

I was immediately and naturally drawn to Nava's recipe for Butterscotch Apples. This is a very quick dish that is immensely satisfying and comforting, and particularly suited to fall and winter when apples are seasonal. Though, as you all know (or should by now!), I am a saucy girl, and so when I looked at this recipe calling for 5 apples, I decided to instead use 3 to meet my saucy gal needs! The apples and butterscoth-like sauce are separately, but quickly, heated through and then gently tossed together. I topped the mixture with a dollop of soy yogurt and sprinkling of walnuts, as Nava suggests in her recipe... and of course, we (meaning mostly me) all know that some vanilla non-dairy ice cream would also be a blissful accompaniment!

With Valentine's Day approaching, this would be a lovely and simple dish to prepare for your sweetie, especially if you don't have a fondness for chocolate.

But WAIT! How can you NOT have a fondness for chocolate. Sensitivities and allergies I understand... but plain ol' disinterest? Scandalous I say!

So, in the spirit of all things good and chocolate for Valentine's, I have reposted my chocolate bark recipe from Vive so that you have time to make a treat for your special someone. You could also make my Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookies, and decorate by piping some chocolate hearts on top (I plan to do this for my daughter's class, and will post some pics later). Or, try my Chocolate Pumpkin Pie, or something with a touch of red color like my Coconut Raspberry Squares.

Or, go all out my lovelies, and make THIS cake!

(p.s. vegan smooches for a sweet Valentine's Day to you all)

Vegan "Lovely-ness" for Valentine's

Boys and girls, it's February and Valentine's Day is fast approaching! Do you have a sweetie lined up for your sweetie? Well, if not, read on...

I was lucky enough to sample a few treats from the wonderful folks at Liz Lovely.* I have heard and read many great things about Liz Lovely's cookies, but had not yet had tried one. They contacted me asking if I'd like to try some of their new chocolate covered treats that they were developing for Valentine's (and perhaps these treats will be permanent items, I'm not certain).

I received three little sample packages. The first with 3 large chocolate covered pretzels, the second with 4 chocolate covered cookies, and the third was their Gingersnapdragon cookies (2 to a pack). Here you see the chocolate covered cookies next to the pretzels. I split one of the cookies in half so you could have a peek at the thick coat of chocolate on top of the oreo-style, mint-flavored cookie (unfortunately I zoomed in a little too closely so you don't get the full effect.) What's better than a chocolate treat but a chocolate treat dipped in chocolate?! And the pretzels are fabulous!... I love having that very slight taste of salty contrast underneath the thick layer of deep chocolate. They have some other chocolate treats which I didn't (but would love to!) try... including chocolate covered cashews, macadamia nuts, ginger, and almonds. I forgot to mention how attractive looking these chocolate treats are as well. Very smoothly finished with an even coating giving a very polished look.

Here is the Gingersnapdragon cookie. I photographed it next to the chocolate cookie, just to show you how BIG this cookie is. The package label shows a serving size is 1/2 of one cookie... and that makes sense, because if you eat one of these cookies in full, you *know* you've really eaten two or so average-sized cookies! There are other cookie flavors at Liz Lovely, and if you are a ginger lover, go for this one. It doesn't just have ginger flavor (as some ginger cookies do), but it carries some heat from the ginger... likely from the crystallized ginger that is pressed down into the tops of the cookies.

Just look at that, isn't it pretty with the crystallized ginger and sugar sprinkling all around? This is a soft cookie, just to let you know. I realize there are those of us that appreciate a soft cookie, and those of us that want a crispier, crunchier cookie... so if you are in the latter camp, just know that this is a soft, tender cookie (and I suspect the other flavors are the same... btw, have any of you tried the cowboy/cowgirl cookies? They also look incredible!)

Hellooooo??! boys out there: listen up! Your women would like some DECENT vegan treats... and we aren't all excited about flowers (ex: me), especially roses on Valentine's which are altogether predictable, and they wilt so quickly. Yes boys, plan in advance... shop and buy some treats now. Not the night before, or even worse, Valentine's Day itself. (ahem, you know who you are husband of a dear friend of mine) tsk, tsk. :)

And, why wait for a fellow to get these treats for you... heck, treat yourself and go check out the goodies at Liz Lovely today.

Now, if by some chance you procrastinate, or have very little cash to order treats, I'll repost my chocolate bark recipe in the next week or so... and I might have a few other ideas to get all sweet about.

*in case you're wondering, I am not receiving anything for this 'plug' of Liz Lovely. They kindly sent me a sample of their GingerSnapDragons, chocolate covered pretzels, and chocolate covered cookies. One taste was all I needed to share the good word.