Spinach & tofu stuffed pasta shells

Well I am still in limbo of a kitchen. BLAH! Its been an experience to have no kitchen sink, counter or cupboards. Basically I have a stove and a side board that holds all the important stuff. ( the popcorn popper is VERY IMPORTANT!) I am suppose to get the kitchen by the 5th of May, we will see. It feels like I have never had a kitchen in this house. I am not complaining...well okay maybe a little :P This pregnant lady is sick of lugging dishes up stairs and washing in the bath tub that is for sure. Anyhow I am super excited because I know when the kitchen finally gets here, I will be in heaven!!

Mark it on your calendars the Halifax crafters fair April 30th-May 1. Lots of cool things made by local artists! Its the week before mothers day, so bring mom and grandma!!

I recently came across the Daiya cheese at my local grocery store. Geesh I felt like I was living in the dark ages, with all the great recipes out there using it. I was so stoked to finally get to try it.  The only complaint I really have is that it has no nutritional value at all, but it is pretty tasty for vegan cheese :)

Spinach & tofu stuffed pasta shells

1 box of pasta shells- cooked according to package

Filling


1 block of tofu-crumbled
1 package of frozen chopped spinach- defrosted and drained
1 cup of Daiya mozzarella 
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp  dried basil
 2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion- small diced
4 -6 mushrooms- sliced
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
sea salt
freshly ground pepper


In a bowl combine tofu and spinach add yeast and herbs and stir.
With a pan saute onions and mushrooms in olive oil, deglaze with red wine vinegar.
Add onion and mushroom to tofu mixture. Season with sea salt and pepper.
Be generous with the salt!


Once shells are cooked stuff with filling. On a baking pan add about 1 1/2 cups worth of tomato sauce. Place shells on top and cook for 30 minutes at 350. When serving add heated tomato sauce to the top.

Granola bars

 

My daughters both love granola bars and its hard to find vegan granola bars at the store, I decided to try and make them...These turned out pretty good, except that I wish I added a bit more maple syrup and almond butter.

2 cups old fashion oats

1 cup wheat germ

3/4 cup coconut

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1 1/4 cup applesauce

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup coconut oil-melted

1 tbsp vanilla 

Preheat oven to 350

Add wet to dry, stir until well combined.

Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper

press mixture firmly down. 

Bake for 25 minutes.

Cut while still warm. 

Let cool

Enter the contest to win a CSN gift card!

Save an egg...Crack a smile, success at the Halifax Crafters Market

 

Well the crazy week has finally come to an end for me. I have been baking and cooking since Tuesday morning, preparing for the market. I have never been a a vendor at a market before, I didn't know what to expect.  When all my vegan treats sold out on Saturday afternoon I was super happy, but then I had to make everything that took me 3 days to prepare again for the next day! Which was stressful, but I did it.
I'll sleep when I'm dead!

It was nice hanging out with my mom and dad, they helped me out big time. My mom was the dishwasher/grandma and my dad was the chauffeur/grampy, they leave tomorrow morning on an 8 hour flight across the country. I won't see them again for another 6 months:( xo

The crafters market was super fun, and with the help from my daughter Ocean, it made our very first market something special. (selling out, was pretty awesome too!) I couldn't of done it without her!

I had a little time to browse around the market. I took a picture of my cool finds, the beautiful pottery bowl is my friends work...check it out www.annepryde.ca.

The handkerchief is so special to me, because it reminds me of my mom, she loves pussy willows. My neighbor at the market made it wanderlust .The little plant sign says "sunlight tastes like mmm", I couldn't resist. and the flower pin, well it just rocks. The Russian doll is a lavender sachet, that I got from louloubell , a gift for my mom, a little something something for all the help.

Here are some pictures of a few things I made, I didn't take a picture of everything I made. It was hectic around here!

 

This was a lot of work for me and I felt bad that I had so much to do while my family was visiting, but I feel great about my accomplishment!  Now its time to chill out and drink a glass of wine.

Spring Fling : Halifax Crafters Market

I am going to be at the Halifax Crafters Market next weekend April 17 and 18th. I am really excited! I have been busy preparing and getting all my supplies little by little. I bought a cute table cloth the other day at the second hand store, along with a pretty glass plate. I hope to meet some new friends and spread the importance of a vegan food diet :)
My friend, Anne got me hooked up with this...her pottery is beautiful. Check it out www.annepryde.ca .

Come by...say "hi", grab yourself a vegan treat while you check out the market! Pick up something special for Mother's Day May 9th :)