Thursday 25 March 2010

Where I’m veganlly at

The Winter has been so long, for lots of people in a lot of places hasn’t it?! Time’s flown by in a slightly crazed flurry…
It’s a good job that I didn’t change the title here to declare my complete veganism..I haven’t stayed 100% vegan as I aspired to I’m afraid…am probably about 99%. My weaknesses can be whittled down to two areas- chocolate (when I buy it, there are times- probably hormonally related- that I crave milk chocolate- but I am getting into dark chocolate so I buy it about half the time when I need chocolate!) On that note have found Starbucks do a very nice dark chocolate bar with vanilla in, it’s very nice and not at all bitter…
Occasionally too- cake.

For baking at home, it’s always vegan. Completely. If we are out, and there is no vegan option I have had cake which will almost definitely contain eggs… (The pictured chocolate muffins turned out very velvety and pretty rich. Actually, very rich, because the boys could only manage a nibble before giving up, which says a lot!)

Recipe was from the booklet 'mmm......yummy cakes.. Vegan Cake Book'-
350g self-raising flour
1 table spoon baking powder
120g caster sugar
100g drinking chocolate powder
200g chocolate drops (I used dairy free white chocolate buttons too)
375ml water
135mo sunflower oil

Method:
Preheat the oven to gas mark 5, 190 degrees C, 375 degrees fahrenheit. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with deep muffin cases.
sieve the flour, baking powder, caster sugar and drinking choolate powder ainto a bowl and stir.
Measure the waterinto a jug, add the oil and stir.
Add teh liquid to the dry ingredients a bit at a time and stir thoroughly, making sure the liquid is fully mixed in before adding more. Beat until smooth.
Fold int he chocolate drops.
Spoon into the muffin cases and put into the oven immediately.
Bake for 30 minutes, until well risen and springy to the touch. Cool on a wire rack.


So- phew, I’ve admitted it. There’s no point in berating myself too much though, it’s an onward journey, and I just have to do my best.
The children are at a slightly different place. They eat vegetarian and vegan. They will happily eat vegan macaroni cheese, and also the dairy version. Pizza with vegan cheese or dairy. Lots of beans, vegetables, lentils, wholegrains, smoothies, soy and oat milk (no dairy milk).
I’ve booked a few days holiday in August at a Swanage Vegetarian Vegan B&B  Beyond that, unbelievably primary school is on the horizon. So at some point we’ll have the packed lunches versus school dinner debate…
I’ve done two school talks in the last few months (one of them kept getting cancelled because of the snow!)- fabulous experiences, will write up in a separate post.
Aside from that I’ve spent the some Winter nights getting familiar with the sewing machine that had been awaiting use since my Summer birthday. Using the manual and books (which are VERY good ones, I must say, because I have very little nonse about machines…)


so I got going with some little imperfect projects before I made some roman blinds. Two down, one to go.
The first one- good (ish) but a little wonky. The second one, good (ish) but a little gathered.Hmmm. Next stop, the boys’ room, and it’s going to be perfect. Hmmm….

1 comment:

Unknown said...

wow what an amazing day u must of had....i wish i was u