Good Eats: Favorite Vegan Substitutes

It's the last Meatless Monday before Thanksgiving, so you might have assumed I'd have a bunch of Thanksgiving recipes for you, but the truth is: I'm still working on my menu!  I am trying to eat really well the next three days in anticipation of the inevitable gorging happening at our (two) Thanksgiving meals at the end of the week.  So today I am sharing my favorite easy vegan substitutes, for anyone who might consider going a day (or a week...or a month) as a vegan!

Milk: I have found this to the the easiest replacement ever, since I mostly use milk on cereal or in recipes. I love Blue Diamond's new Almond/Coconut blend.
Eggs:  You can't use this for a scrambled egg (unfortunately), but Ener-G Egg Replacer is perfect for baked goods.
Butter:  Earth Balance has so many great varieties, but we have been using their Soy-free spread. Great for cooking, spreading on toast, baking, etc.
Cheese: I still haven't found an acceptable eat-in-large-chunks vegan cheese (though that's probably a good thing for my waistline), but Daiya is my favorite meltable vegan shredded cheese.

Sour Cream: I honestly can't even tell the difference! I use Toffuti Sour Supreme with my tacoes/burritos/bean bowls.
Sausages:  I could live on Field Roast's Apple Sage sausages--even if I was still a carnivore.
Mayo:  Another condiment where I can't tell the difference. I make a quick and easy sriracha mayo with this Vegenaise (1 T mayo, 1 t agave syrup, 1 t sriracha). But be careful--it's addicting!
Burgers:  Because sometimes you just need a burger...and these beefless ones by Gardein really fill the void (of your mouth).

I can find all of these easily between Whole Foods and MOM's Organic Market (and most of them also in the organic/natural section of the larger, mainstream grocery stores like Giant and Safeway).

What do you think you would find the hardest replacement for you to go vegan? 

I'm instagramming my food again (@mandamiska) for Meatless Monday, so come check it out (in a bit...breakfast is about to go on the stove as I finish this post!)

xo,
Amanda

Good Eats: Vegan Junk Food

Do a quick word association for VEGAN.

You'll probably come up with something like this: vegetables, PETA, meatless, yoga, kale, fit...and so forth.

I am vegan. I'm not a PETA member, nor do I do yoga. I'm also not super trim and sinewy like many figureheads for veganism. I do eat a lot of vegetables. And I love me some kale. But sometimes, you have a craving that a crunchy, leafy veggie can't fulfill. If you're anything like me, sometimes you need some comfort food.

These are some surprisingly vegan junk foods--no animal products! But they're not super nutritious either. Everything in moderation. Next time you want a snack, why not try one of these tasty vegan treats? You may already have some of them in your cupboard!

I am a reformed cheese lover, but the adjustment wasn't that bad. However, I'm thankful that Sour Patch Kids are animal-free. I'm not sure what I'd do, as I practically lived on those (and Coke slushies!) while I was pregnant! ha.

But for a healthier, heartier sweet treat (that's still ABSOLUTELY comfort food!), I have a quick recipe for you today. It's perfect for those chilly fall and winter mornings--and you can even make it if you're in a hurry to get out the door--prep and cook in 5 minutes or less. (Thank you, microwave technology!)

Quick "Baked" Apples
Serves 1

Ingredients
1 medium apple, chopped into small pieces (Granny Smith is my favorite!)
1 T Earth balance or other vegan butter substitute
1-2 T pure maple syrup
1 t cinnamon
1 T chopped nuts (optional--I love pecans or walnuts!)

Directions
1. Chop apple and put into microwave-safe dish. Top with Earth Balance, cinnamon, and syrup.

2. Place in microwave and cook on high 2-3 minutes (firmer or larger apples will need more time), until apples are soft.

3. Stir apple mixture and top with your favorite nuts.

It's like eating apple pie, but it's gluten free, healthier, and ten times faster!  Sometimes, I make this mixture and add it to quick oats/oatmeal as well, for an even heartier start to the day.

I hope you'll give it a try...as well as try to go meatless today (or one other day this week!). This post made  hungry, so I'm off to make something yummy! Don't forget to follow me (@mandamiska) on IG to see what else I'm eating today for Meatless Monday!

xo,
Amanda