Sweet and Spicy Butternut Soup

I *heart* blended soups, and this soup was so delicious that it lasted all of about 2 minutes before it was completely devoured.

This was a tester for the new Happy Herbivore cookbook, and was one of my faves so far.

And how 'bout that hot sauce art? I think I missed my calling... hahaha.

Spicy mock-tuna roll

Spicy mock-tuna roll

There's nothing better than impromptu sushi.

I was making a tuna tester recipe for the new Happy Herbivore cookbook and suddenly decided that I wasn't feeling like a tuna sandwich or wrap.

Instead, I warmed up some leftover rice and added rice wine vinegar and sugar. Topped that with a schmear of sriracha across the "tuna", and... Voila! Spicy "tuna" roll!

Ta da!

Cooking up a storm!

In case you haven't heard, Lindsay - the Happy Herbivore - is writing a cookbook, and I was lucky enough to be chosen as a tester! (Someone just asked me why I was so excited that someone I have never met IRL is writing a cookbook. Well, while Lindsay and I have never actually "met", we have been blog, FB, and Twitter pals for a while, and she is originally from the same hometown as I -- so that added even more of a connection.)

Anyway... just take a look at the recipes on her website, and you'll understand why I am so excited. Her recipes are kid-friendly, omni-friendly, etc. and you will rarely find that you have to run to the store for any ingredients (if you have a decently stocked pantry). I do like using new/obscure ingredients once in a while, but for everyday meals I want to use what I have on hand, and Happy Herbivore recipes are perfect for that.

Lindsay has created several wonderful e-cookbooks, so there is no doubt in my mind that this cookbook will be incredible! The book itself won't be available until sometime next year, but if you'd like a sneak peek (sort of), check out the Flickr pool we testers are adding to. Not enough for you? Want to hear how excited we get as we cook/eat? Follow us on Twitter!

Now that the book has been officially announced, I will be posting about the recipes I am making. As always, I must remind you that I am a horrific food photographer - and I have no patience to fool around with lighting or software, so don't judge the food by the photos. ;o)

Product Review: Two new flavors of POM Wonderful

A while back I was sent two bottles of POM to try. I thought I had blogged about it, but I can't find the post. Hmmm...

The Wonderful people at POM have come up with two fantastic new flavors: Kiwi and Nectarine

I loooove getting packages from POM! The whole family gets excited. We debate (read: argue) over who is going to get to taste what flavor first. We (except me) are very good about sharing.

The new flavors are delicious! Kiwi was definitely my favorite of the two, while the others preferred Nectarine. I love having choices.

Product Review: Dr. MacDougall's Soups

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Dr. MacDougall's asking if I'd like to try some of their new soups. No better time than autumn to taste-test soups!! After work and a outdoor sporting event on Friday, I came home to find their package waiting for me. The box was rather large for a few containers of soup. When I opened it I was surprised to see that the package not only contained soup, but also a Crate and Barrel place setting -- placemat, cloth napkin, napkin ring, and soup bowl! Nice touch, Dr. MacDougall's!!


Also inside the box was a smaller box containing 8 aseptic packages of their soups (a ninth one was in the bowl). After standing outside in the cold/drizzle for a few hours, vegetable soup sounded perfect - and there just happened to be two boxes!

Overall, I thought it was a pretty good soup. It reminded me a bit of the Campbell's vegetable soup that I used to eat when I was little. It was a little bit too salty for my liking, but that is to be expected with pre-packaged food, and for the most part it was quite tasty. I liked that there were chunks of veggies and barley in it.

Yesterday, my daughter made the Black Bean soup while I was at work. She added an additional can of black beans to it (she likes her BBS very beany), and she said that it needed salt. She saved a bit for me which I ate after work with tortilla chips.

I will post as we go through the other flavors. I am not a fan of split pea soup at all, so you may get a second-hand review of that one. I am excited to try the others, though!!

Hoodlums

My mailbox was hit with pumpkins and pieces of cinder block six separate nights during the month of October. Wednesday night we caught the hoodlums that were responsible for most (most likely ALL) of the damage. Today they came (with one of the dads) and replaced the whole thing. (My son is on the left watching them work.)

I hope the kids (three boys and a girl) learned their lesson. I hope they learned that there are always consequences for inappropriate behaviors. I hope their parents grounded them. I hope they (and their parents) appreciate that we did not press charges, although the police were called. I really hope they (and their parents) appreciate that we didn't pursue this with the USPS (we did contact them) - it's a felony, and it certainly wouldn't have turned out well for them.

I mostly hope they pay it forward. Do something nice for someone else someday.

Peace.

Happy World Vegan Day (and World Vegan Month!!!)