Easy Vegan Meals - Nachos

Lately we eat nachos on Monday nights here. They are easy to make and do not scare of teenage omnivores (Matt's little sister who eats here on Monday). You have room to explore with toppings such as tofu based sour cream, hot sauce, salsa vegan queso...Endless!



What you need:
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15 oz can of beans (we usually like black but you can try pinto and kidney)
1 package of Light Life Smart Ground - Mexican
3 tablespoons of salsa
a bit of canola oil to coat your skillet
tortilla chips
toppings - what ever you like!

Coat your skillet/frying pan with canola oil, place over medium heat and add Smart Ground and let cook for about 5-6 minutes till it is warmed through. Add beans (including liquid), stir and cook for about 4 minutes. Add salsa and combine and cook for a few more minutes. Serve this mix over chips and add your favorite toppings!

Winner, Products and Big Kitties

Congratulations to poopiebitch for being the winner of my contest! Your cookie cookbook is on the way to you!



Last week I got to try a sample of the new Luminizing Black Mask by boscia. It is interesting - it is actually like a thick black tar you slather on your skin. It is fun to peel off and your skin is really healthy looking afterward. Do not try talking to your kitty while wearing it - if your cat is like my boy - well, he will be scared!



Speaking of kitties my cat Mar is in a contest over on Modern Cat to win a comfort lounge. Please vote for Mar (#111) this week so he can be in the top 5! Thank you!

My Favorite Skin Care Products

I remember reading Sassy magazine in the late 80s and early 90s and clipping out beauty articles. Even at a early age I was into skin care and cosmetics, my sister and I would try out the homemade products I would make in the kitchen. Years later I still search through magazines for ideas and make some of my own cosmetics. I try to get my boyfriend Matt to try them but he is not to happy with me slathering things on his face!

I get a lot of compliments on my skin and when I am asked what I use or what I do I am a bit perplexed as how to answer. My skin has always been relatively clear and I have good genes to thank for this. I also think my vegan life style is a cause for clear skin - many people argue about the effects of what we eat and how that effects the skin, I believe food plays a role. I don't go crazy with diet but I drink a lot of water and skip soda and getting glowing with cardio. I do not smoke and never will and I keep drinking to a minimum. At night I wash my makeup off to let my pores breathe...

I have really sensitive skin that tends to be oily. Currently these products are in heavy rotation in my cabinet.


Angels on Bare Skin by Lush: When I was in a Lush store and this product was recommended to me I was hesitant because it contains lavender oil and lavender tends make me itchy in large doses. After one use I was hooked, my skin felt clean and soft with no itchy mess at all. I use it almost daily.


Ubtan Face Scrub by Skin Apothke: Yup - another face scrub. This smells like incense, rich with sandalwood and spices and it contains lentils - which is a favorite food of mine! It is gentle and leaves skin glowing. I use it mixed with water but need to try and use it mixed with soy milk!



Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads by Desert Essence: These are awesome for after washing your face at night and getting rid of any lingering makeup and oil. These keep my face spot free and do not dry my skin out at all.


Daily Face Cream by First Aid Beauty: This leaves my skin moisturized at night without it leaving it oily or filmy. It is really gentle and soothing to use after using a tea tree oil pad or toner.

Stay tuned for some of my tried and true skin care recipes coming soon, till then remember show your skin some love!

Contest Contest Contest!

In conjunction with Faster Kittykill! Blog! Blog! I announce this super easy contest to win a brand new copy of Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.




For your chance to win this awesome book please answer this question: What is your favorite cookie? Contest is open to everyone, one winner will be picked and I will ship out your book after contacting you for your details. Contest ends August 15, 2010. Good luck!

Flowers In Bloom

These last few weeks I have been into making kanzashi flowers. At first it looked intimidating but after looking at a few tutorials and cutting out fabric I was on a roll. I found some really awesome vintage buttons that added extra sparkle!

This project is great for using up scraps of fabric and the center can be made from buttons to bottle caps, making it really green! Turn them into hair clips, brooches, or whatever, they are versatile!


I have more petals that need to be folded!

Hats Off To My Boyfriend!

This Saturday we will be in Sacramento - no not for home goods at Ikea or to hang out on the grid (however we are eating at Sugar Plum again!) but because my boyfriend's music video is being screened! My boyfriend Matt's video for Gabber Nullification Project's song "Sunday Sunday" will be screened at Sacramento's Film and Music Festival.


Congratulations Matthew. Mar and I love you and appreciate your talent!

If you want to check out the video please go watch it on his YouTube channel.

Setting Up For Craft Shows

I have been doing craft shows for a few years now. I usually stick to a card sized table for smaller events and go with something bigger for larger shows. I like using my card table the best because of the small space that forces me to have a clean layout - I am the type of person who can never have to many items sitting around.

I try to get my products situated the night before. I group items together and use drawstring bags to hold them in their groups. My business cards and fliers go in a box and if they are too big I paperclip them together. My tablecloth goes on top for extra protection. I use vintage suitcases to haul my stuff to events and then hide them under the table at the event. If I am doing baked goods I place everything in food storage boxes and stack them in the fridge until they are ready to go.
The day of the event I pack all my goods in neat stacks in the car. My boyfriend loads the trunk with our table and chairs. After leaving things behind before I have learned to double check before leaving. I also make a run to the bank for change - super important!

Always get to a show early, especially if tables are not assigned to a certain location. This can mean having a great spot or being stuck in the corner. Once at the show check in and then go get your stuff. If you can bring a friend to help with getting things ready, my boyfriend always helps and vends his stuff - I am lucky! Bring extra such as markers, tape (to hold down signs - if you are outdoors!)and a note book so you can take down any notes like low inventory, and you can always doodle in it if it gets slow!

I think having a routine is important and the longer you do shows the better you get at setting up. Also having a set up plan means less stress and less stress is always good!

Thank you amea - oddly romantic for the picture of my set up!