Blossom Vegan Pleasanton, CA

Matt and I both like Blossom Vegan and if we are in the area stop in for lunch or dinner. The menu is similar to Loving Hut's chain menu. However the food is good and there is no cult-like stuff sitting around or on TV. The location is small and in a strip mall type sitting. In the parking lot there is a Trader Joe's so you can pick some groceries up after you dine. The parking lot is cramped and busy - day or night. We went for dinner recently and the restaurant was busy but we were seated within 10 minutes and after placing our order had food in front of our face fast. Here is a journey in some of the dishes we have enjoyed on multiple locations.

Golden Rolls - crunchy bite delights.

For lunch Matt usually gets the pho - I eat all the jalapenos that it comes with!

For lunch I usually get the Yum Yum Vermicelli - it is like soup and salad in one!

I recently tried the Eggplant Curry - a very warming feel good dish.

 

Matt tried the Soy Protein Perfection - and we both will be ordering that again soon!

Sipping on a Young Coconut drink or Thai Iced Tea with your meal hits the spot.

Blossom Vegan is 100% Vegan and they do not use MSG. They are open everyday except Tuesday. For hours and address please visit their site.

Let's Get Jammy With It

 

Lately I have been on a jam kick!  I make a batch every week and serve it up pretty much daily. It is easy, tasty and does not require a degree in canning.

Easy Chia Berry Jam

1 package of frozen berries of your choice (I like mixed berries or strawberries, make sure you buy organic when it comes to berries because berries are sprayed heavily)

about a tablespoon of water or a bit more

a squeeze of fresh lemon juice 

a hefty squeeze of maple syrup or agave

2 tablespoons of chia seeds

In a small saucepan place berries, maple syrup/agave, water and lemon juice and set the heat to a low medium heat. Stir and cover. Check back in about five minutes. Take the back of a fork and see if the berries are becoming unfrozen by squishing some against the pot. Mix in any juice you got out. Cover with the lid and cook for another five minutes. Squish more berries, by this time you can get most of them broken down into a nice mushy texture, keep breaking down any large clumps.Take the mix off of the heat and mix in chia seeds. Let cool for a few minutes, place in a clean jar (I use recycled food jars that have been cleaned). Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the jam set up and enjoy. You have about two cup of yummy jam at your call! Eat it up - it will keep for a week in the fridge!

No need for pectin in this recipe, chia seeds act like a powerhouse binder. You get a chunky seedy jam that is not full of sugary crap and is super fresh and tasty. I serve it up over oatmeal. The above photo was for Matt's birthday breakfast. Oatmeal, strawberry chia jam, a sliced banana, maple syrup and Hemp Hearts. Yummy! 

You can use fresh berries, it will be less cooking time. I find frozen berries are cheaper and fresher than what I find at the market sometimes.Trader Joe's has an excellent price on frozen organic berries!Shop around, try your farmer's market and the store, see what is fresh and on sale!

[Vegan MOFO Day 19] Good Enough To Eat: Fresh Perfumes

I like perfume...I like it to be clean and personal. When I say personal I mean I want to smell the scent on myself and if someone hugs me to smell it. I do not want to walk in a room and leave a trail of scent behind. I really hate when someone wears so much perfume it smells up the whole room and makes you feel ill. Also why do people feel the need to wear perfume to the gym?!?

I have tried a few of Fresh's fragrances, which are all vegan. I am currently wearing Cannabis Santal - which states it is a male fragrance but I find it unisex. I usually like fruity/foody scents but this is warm and sweet. It has notes of plum, chocolate and a woody note to it...Perfect for fall!

Fresh has scents ranging from fruity to musky...Sephora carries the line and you can spend the day just smelling all the scents! What fragrance are you wearing right now?

Face Foward Friday - Vegan Face Care

I usually oil cleanse my face with olive oil and castor oil. However it is summer we are in the 90s now with a 5 day 100+ streak last week. My skin is a bit red and blotchy - something that can be covered up with makeup but I rather treat it! So after receiving samples* of Fresh: Soy Face Cleanser I am hooked. It is gentle, does not really smell and though it is a gel it feels creamy!

Come on - you know you wanna touch it? Have you had the sonic pulsating vibrations run all over your face? Seriously if you have not experienced the Mia then you need to - it is like amazing! Matt bought me the animal print version (naturally!) for my birthday and I have been using it every day - sometimes twice a day!The cleanser it comes with sucks....also the refreshing gel cleanser is not vegan due to sea life.

Urban Decay Naked Skin is really great! At first I thought I would hate it due to reviews but I actually like it and once my BB cream runs out I will buy it since I have been sampling* it. My cousin and I are different undertones while still be light and Naked Skin had a match for both of us...Some companies only have foundation in like 4 colors...Naked Skin has a rainbow of skin tones. it offers good coverage and my skin can still breathe! It is a little watery but I use a damp sponge to apply it with no problem! I am a 3.0 by the way and my cousin who is more pink in tone is a 2.0.

*Getting samples at Sephora is always a good thing! :)