Just a few things

I've been cooking a lot lately. Made TVP sausage and baked it instead of frying it. It turned out better I think. Also bought some jicama and we'll be trying that today. Yesterday I made the 'Amazing Mac and Cheeze Sauce" from the Uncheese cookbook. It was okay, but didn't taste quite right. Did go over the pasta nicely though.

The other day here in Portland I saw something I haven't seen in a long time. I was waiting at a corner, to make a turn. I was turning onto Powell, which there is 5 lanes across. I saw a younger woman (late teens early 20s) helping an elderly lady who was unsteady on her feet, to cross the street. I assumed it was a grandmother/daughter. But it wasn't. The older lady thanked the younger and they went their separate ways. That is one of the (many) things I love about Portland. People here are truly nice. You wouldn't think that you are in a large metro area.

Here, people avoid blocking crosswalks so pedestrians and bikes can cross. As you leave a Trimet bus, people will thank the driver. There are jerks and idiots as in any city. But you don't notice them much here, at least I don't.

Money is getting really tight for us now, so all of what I've learned about frugality I will have to use to an even greater extent. Luckily, I have stocked up over the past months, so I have all the basics I need. We will manage pretty well, I think.

Barbara

Polenta

I made polenta from corn grits yesterday. In the evening, I used some of it to make polenta fries. A big hit. Tonight I'm using a recipe from vegweb for Polenta Tamale pie, except I don't have any ground soy meat, so I'm using Morningstar Farms beef strips. I've had those before, and they are pretty bland, but tasty if you use spices.

I've been enjoying orange juice with ground golden flaxseed meal in it in the moring and evening. Got the flaxseed from Bob's Red Mill, it's cheaper at the company store which isn't far from me.

Barbara

Tempeh

This past week I tried making tempeh bacon and tempeh sausage crumbles, using recipes from Vegan with a Vengance. I don't think there was anything wrong with the recipes, I just didn't like the... mouth feel I guess, of the tempeh. So I won't be trying that anytime soon again.

I do hope to make seitan later this week. I made (again from Vegan with a Vengance) roasted brussels sprouts and chickpea broccoli casserole this week. Very good.

Barbara

Made a dishwasher detergent

Well, sort of. I used the recipe from frugalveggiemama for cheaper dishwasher detergent.

I had bought Seventh Generation powdered dishwasher detergent (for $4.29). Put in one cup of that, one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda. Did a test load and it worked great. Didn't put in any rinse agent, like vinegar, but the glases came out squeaky clean! So, it's a winner.

As we use up what cleaning products we have, I'll be substituting cheaper and non-toxic products.

Now I just have to find out if Bi-o-kleen hand dishwashing liquid can be cut with water. Trying to do that with softsoap did not work well. I'd like to use this stuff for handsoap too.

Barbara

Personal care products

I've been using Jason Naturals Healthy Mouth toothpaste for a couple of weeks now. I really like it. I like the taste and it seems to have reduced the sensitivity in one tooth that needs some work. Unfortunately, my partner doesn't like the clove oil that's in it (I can't even taste it). The flavors are tea tree oil and cinnamon.

I am also using as deodorant Crystal Stick Body Deodorant. My partner will get one when her current deodorant runs out. I like it and it seems to work quite well.

Baking bread today and having more roasted brussels sprouts tomorrow. Got some huge organic sprouts at New Seasons yesterday.

Barbara

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies (VWAV)

Last night I made 'Big Gigantoid Crunchy Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookies' from the book Vegan with a Vengeance.

I've never liked peanut butter oatmeal cookies but these are tasty. I used Trader Joes Natural unsalted Peanut butter. Since the recipe called for chunky PB, I shelled some peanuts I had and put those in. Mixed it up in the Kitchenaid and yum! And yes, they are huge.

So far, I've liked the recipes I've tried from this cookbook. I'm glad I bought it.

Barbara

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Garlic

I had this recipe from Isa Moskowitz's Vegan with a Vengeance. I was skeptical, but she came through. I only made a few sprouts, which I've never really liked before.

They were very tasty, easy to make and eat. And I loved the toasted garlic bits too. I guess I'll be adding brussels sprouts to my shopping list now!

Barbara

Shopping

Did some shopping today. Stopped by a place called the People's Coop, which is really close to my house. It's a bit pricey, but they have all kinds of neat stuff.

They have just about everything in bulk. Cleaners, brown rice vinegar, agave nectar, all kinds of things. I picked up some slightly chunkier (although still smallish pieces) of TVP there. My partner really likes Russell's TVP sausage recipe and asked me to make more. So I made that tonight.

I bought some dish soap, forgot the brand, I'll write it down later. I"m planning to dilute a bit. I should have bought some powder dishwasher detergent, I'll get that later. I still have to find glycerin though, for making laundry detergent. What we have will last quite a while, still.

I have some Revere ware copper bottom pots. I read that baking soda will clean the tarnish off. Didn't work. I have 'Bar Keeper's Friend', that does work. Not sure if there is anything I need to add to the baking soda to make it work.

Just a lot of random stuff today! Tomorrow, steamed veggies! :)

Barbara