Recipe post for you...

I had my first attempt at a fully vegan meal, and it was delicious!!!!!  It's a vegan lasagna.  I adapted a Pinterest recipe, and used soy meat and vegan cheese.  These are the main ingredients I used, besides the tube polenta, which I got in the organic aisle at Kroger.

The sauce is delicious, too.  I got it at Whole Foods in my attempt to find a LOW SUGAR marinara.  Most have around 6 grams of sugar, this has only one!  It's great, and Pat loves it, too!

All you do is layer the ingredients as you would with any lasagna.  I sauteed some onions and garlic for a few minutes, then threw in the soy meat (strange consistency in the package, but just like meat in the pan).  Instead of noodles, you slice your polenta and use the slices in the noodles' place.

The recipe called for an 8x8 pan, which I do not have, so I used an 8x11.  I would suggest getting two tubes of polenta for anything other than an 8x8.  I didn't feel like I had enough.  Also, I used only a clove of garlic, but would suggest more.

Of course, I cannot locate the exact recipe I adapted, so here's what I did:

Polenta Lasagna

One tube polenta (organic)
One jar pasta sauce
1 lb soy meat or other meat substitute
1 pkg soy cheese or other cheese substitute
1-2 cloves garlic minced
half onion minced
salt/pepper to taste

Pour a small amount of sauce into the bottom of the pan and top with the first layer of polenta.  Then layer meat/onion/garlic mixture, cheese and more sauce.  Top with another layer of sauce and then repeat.  Finish with a layer of cheese.

Bake at 350 covered for 20 minutes, uncover and bake until cheese is melted on top.

The next time I'd make it, I think I would layer some spinach leaves in there, too.

When I find the original recipe (not vegan), I will post!  Sorry about that.

This is the perfect picture for me, today....

Last night I went back to my past life- sorta.  I went to see such a fun band in one of my favorite outdoor venues, with my family.  Because it was a park, we brought a picnic (our tradition- we see this show every year).  Usually that is not the healthiest fare.  We throw chips, dips, sandwiches, pop and beer in the cooler and roll out.  Usually we will grab a box of cookies from the store, too.  Cheap, easy, good enough.  Not now.  Instead I packed edamame salsa (w/black beans, chickpeas, red onions cilantro, red peppers and a vinegar dressing), organic blue corn chips, a shredded rotisserie chicken, a soy/ginger vegan vinaigrette, and blueberries/raspberries for dessert.  We did bring some beer, but for the kids we brought organic apple cider and water.  That was NOT cheap, but was so yummy!  I brought almonds, too, for later when we needed to munch on something.  It wasn't easy to pass on the iced sugar cookies and Kettle Corn sold hot from the vendor!  We did though! 

I guess my point is that eating well isn't the norm.  For most it's a part-time gig.  I can safely say that I put in a good 40+ hours a week, but I don't profess to be an amazingly healthy eater 100% of the time.  I bet my chicken never got a cold because of the antibiotics it took growing up.  I know that my beer was not the best beverage choice.  I'm learning though.  The more I know, the easier it's becoming.

I am going to try a full vegan meal this week.  I'm making polenta lasagna.  I have my meal schedule made and I will post recipes (well, the good ones).  I will try to post pics, too. 

Here's the deal... I know they won't all turn out good.  I know I will crash sometimes and eat something bad for me.  I know I will have the hardest time eliminating beer and wine from my diet.  I know that everyday is a new step on this journey to wellness.  I know that I'm healthier today, fitter today, happier today, than I have been ever.  That makes it all worth it.

Is it really only Tuesday?

What a week- oh wait, we're not even halfway through it!  It's been crazy at school.  I'll spare you the details, but just know that a school filled with stressed out women is a tiring place to be!  The big event we'd all been working towards is now over, and it went surprisingly smoothly (thank GOD)!  Now we have to get ready for statewide testing (Grrrrrrr) and then we're clear skies and rounding home!

Because I have been stressed at work, I've done what all normal people do- I ignored work (right???)!  That has given me time to look for a few more recipes and plan some meals.  It also meant I had to go to my classroom last night and didn't get home until after midnight- but I do my best work under pressure (can I get an amen???).  So I made a pretty good new recipe last night!  Thought you'd like it too!

Ever since clearing out dairy from my diet, and then noticing how I felt after reintroducing it, I have wondered how vegan "dairy" options taste.  I did some research and there are many choices for those who wish to be dairy free.  Unfortunately, it is pretty pricy, but I am not choosing to be a complete vegan, just want to test the waters of the fake cheese ocean.  In my research I found a few that melt well and our local Kroger carried one such cheese!  It's dairy, gluten and lactose free shredded cheddar.  I didn't tell anyone I was adding it to the recipe- what they don't know won't hurt them!  :)
It's called daiya.  Here's a pic:


I made my AMAZING salmon marinade, but put it on chicken, which is just as wonderful!  Then I paired it with a new couscous recipe and the fake cheese.  YUMMO! 

Here it is. 
CHEESY SPINACH COUSCOUS
Prep time: 15 mins
Total time: 15 mins
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTSCouscous
1 1/4 cups broth
1 cup couscous
1 teaspoon butter (optional)- I didn't use it.
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)- I didn't use it.
Topping
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups spinach, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated- here's where I used the fake cheese
Instructions
Bring water to a boil.
Add couscous, butter and salt.
Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
In a shallow pan, heat oil.
Add spinach, lemon juice and parmesan cheese.
Cook until spinach wilts slightly and changes color (about 1 minute).
Remove from heat.
Mix spinach mixture with couscous.
Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Calories: 231 Fat: 5g Carbohydrates: 34gr Fiber: 2.5g

We had green beans, too, but the couscous was my favorite part!
 Give it a try and let me know what you think!