A is for Apple B is for Blog

The first day of Lent and my adventure to eat my way through the alphabet has started strong, but ended weak because I became sick. But I have been holding strong and trying my best to eat my way through the alphabet.

Wednesday is A:

Amaranth and Apples Porage:

1 Apple, chopped

1/2 cup Apple juice

1/4 teaspoon Allspice

Sprinkle of Agar agar (I meant to go for the arrowroot, but this worked)

3/4 cup cooked Amaranth

2 Tablespoons maple syrup (I should have used Agave)

cooked the apple, allspice, and maple syrup in the apple juice for a few minutes. Add the cooked amaranth and sprinkle agar on top, then mix together and let simmer for 5-10 minutes until it reaches a porage consistency.

This has reminded me I am not a fan of amaranth. It's a tiny grain without much substance and too many bites with dirt.

Snacks: Almonds

Dinner: Rice with almond milk and home potatoes (I was sick and the husband was willing to cook!)

Thursday is B:

Breakfast: Smoothie - Blueberries, bananas, and almond milk

Snack: Brazil Nuts

Dinner: B Soup

B Soup:

(vegan) Butter

onions

Butternut squash

Black eyed peas

Barley

Basil and Bay leaf

Broth (veggie)

Saute the onions and bay leaf until caramelized. Deglaze with the broth and add the basil. Add the chopped butternut squash and the remaining broth. Add the cooked barley and black eyed peas.

Simple soup, probably not the best flavor combination, but good. The basil and black eyed peas could have been excluded for a better soup.

Day two of this experiment is interesting and it's allowing me to try new foods, as it was designed to do. And since I have been breaking the rules a bit, I am okay with it because I am still achieving my goal.

Tomorrow is C, for chocolate!

Two weeks ago Jess and I reviewed a bunch of chocolates for our Stumptown Vegans Podcast. I still have a few left over which I will be enjoying tomorrow.

Orange Julies

Growing up, my mom use to make homemade Orange Julius drinks for my sister and I. It was simple: orange juice, ice, and powdered soy milk. Or so I remember.

When the husband joked about ordering an Orange Julius at the mall, I boastfully said I could make a better one! He took me up on the offer, doubting you could remake one. Over the last two days I made 4 different versions tweeking them to his liking. So while this is named after my mother, Julie, it's really made to Brian's liking.

This sweet orange drink is great for summer days. We're also going to try it using a protein powder for a meal replacer.

Vegan Orange Julies:

1/4 Cup Orange Juice Concentrate

2 Tablespoons Agave Syrup (don't sub for maple syrup, try simple syrup)

1 Cup Soy/Rice/Almond... Milk

1/4 teaspoon Vanilla

2 Tablespoons Soy Milk Powder

1 Cup Ice

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Serving: 1