Vegan with a Side of Beef

Made Good Soft Baked Mini Cookies

I LOVE individually wrapped snacks that I can throw in my purse, keep in my or Kevin’s coat pocket or toss in the secret “under the passenger seat compartment” I have in my Jeep. (Did you even know that’s a thing? I didn’t until I got my Jeep. Kudos to whoever came up with that! But I digress.)

We all know it’s not easy finding “on the go” snacks we like and also meet our dietary needs, but we keep looking. A couple weeks ago, I found a new one in Target. “Made Good Soft Baked Mini Cookies” certified vegan and gluten free, along with a whole lot more certifications!

I bought the cookies. While my two grandsons and I waited for my daughter and granddaughter to check out, I opened the box. I had a package of cookies for myself, and I gave each of the boys one, saying “If these don’t taste good, you can tell me. You won’t hurt my feelings.” The 18-month-old mowed through them. The five-year-old looked at me and said, “Nana, these are isgusting!” (That’s not a typo, he said isgusting – no ‘d’.) Then he proceeded to stuff the remaining cookies in his mouth. I asked, “Then why are you still eating them?” He just smiled. (He’s got a little bit of his dad in him. Likes to yank my chain every once in a while. LOL)

So, there you have it. Our scientific research, conducted in the front lobby of Target – while waiting for Mama and Sissy – with our distinguished panel of three individuals (all with discriminating taste) have reached a consensus for you: These aren’t too bad and they are really handy!

Here they are! (Link below my disclaimer.)

So, you may want to check them out.

Thanks for stopping!

Brenda

Disclaimer:

These recipes and tips are not guaranteed to work or be safe for everyone. Allergies are extremely complicated and vary for each individual. It is still your responsibility to read labels to ensure your safety. I cannot be held liable for any ill effects from using my tips to avoid your allergies. (Sorry guys, I don’t foresee any problems, but Momma’s gotta cover her backside, ya know?) Just read your labels! Do your research!

Soft-Baked Mini Cookies – MadeGoodFoods-USA

It really is a ‘thing’. I love it and use it all of the time. 🙂

Meijer Dairy Free Yogurt Alternative

Have any of you checked out Meijer’s ‘True Goodness by Meijer dairy free yogurt alternatives’? They are killing it!!

They offer coconut-based, almond-based and oat-based yogurt alternatives, in two different sizes. The 5.3 oz. container sells for $1.29 and the 24 oz. container is $4.49. These not only taste great but look at those prices! Over the years when buying different brands of dairy free yogurts, I’ve sometimes been paying as much as $2.10 for a 5.3 oz and upwards of $7.00 for a 24 oz. dairy free yogurt.

The 5.3 oz. size: I’ve tried all three varieties. I liked each, but there is one stand out. The ‘coconut-based fruit on the bottom tart cherry’ is by far, my favorite. Not only do I love the flavor, but out of the three varieties that ‘True Goodness’ offers, the coconut-based is super thick and creamy; unlike any of the other dairy free yogurts I’ve tried.

So many choices!

The ‘coconut-based fruit on the bottom tart cherry yogurt alternative’. Look at how thick and creamy that is!

‘Plain coconut-based yogurt alternative’ is great for cooking and baking.

The 24 oz. size: For years I’ve used dairy free yogurt alternatives for cooking and baking in place of sour cream. Again, this coconut-based yogurt alternative is super thick and creamy and great to cook and bake with.

Below my disclaimer you can find a link to meijer.com showing the different ‘True Goodness’ brand products. Keep in mind when shopping that ‘True Goodness’ offers non-dairy and dairy products. So read your labels carefully.

Thanks for stopping.

Brenda

Disclaimer:

true goodness yogurt | Meijer

Dairy, Wheat and Egg Free Candy for Stuffing your Stockings!

Yes, there is great tasting dairy, wheat and egg free candy for your loved one’s (and your) stockings! This is great news for many of us!!

This post is loaded with pics of the candy, what the packages look like and the ingredients. I’ll give you a brief review/comment on the candy. I’m also listing where I’ve been able to find them.

SANDERS DAIRY FREE CARAMELS: I can’t say enough good things about these caramels! They are incredible!! These are not individually wrapped, so you’ll have to put the whole bag in the stocking. 😉 I’ve found these in some Better Health and Meijer stores.

REESE’S PLANT BASED MINIATURE CUPS and HERSHEY’S PLANT BASED BARS: So fun! The Reese’s are my favorite! The bars are great for smores too. I’ve found these in the St. Johns Walmart in aisle 6/7.

UNREAL DARK CHOCOLATE COCONUT MINIS: These are one of the first dairy, wheat and egg free chocolate candies that I found, actually enjoyed and did not have to throw out 3/4 of the bag! Go me!! I always keep a bag in my freezer. I find these in Kroger and Meijer stores.

CACOA THERAPY DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED BLUEBERRIES: These are good. Kind of remind me of the chocolate covered fruit jelly candies you’d find in a box of chocolates (which I liked). These are a nice change and a bit reminiscent of my younger days. You’re going to have to give them the whole bag again! I find these at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, but be sure to read the label, some of their candies contain dairy.

LINDT LINDOR CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES: So delicious and creamy. I love, and have missed, good chocolate. Each truffle is wrapped individually and beautifully, which adds to the experience of eating these delights!

ENJOY LIFE CHOCOLATE MINIS: Great size to carry in your purse, bag or a coat pocket. Two of these and I’m chocolate satisfied. They also work great for smores. I have only found the bags of these bars in Fresh Thyme. Some health food stores carry a full-size candy bar.

UNREAL DARK CHOCOLATE CRISPY QUINOA GEMS: As a kid at home, Mom had to ration the M&M’s with seven of us around. At my Aunt Celesta’s house there was no rationing. She had the prettiest candy dish, that looked like a wrapped gift, and it was always filled to the top with M&M’s when we visited. In my 20’s and 30’s I lived on M&M’s. (I still crave them every now and then.) So, imagine my surprise when I found these! Such pretty colors too. These are the “plain” version, they also offer a “peanut” version. Aaah…youth.

I hope you’re able to find something you like!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping.

Merry Christmas!

Brenda

(Links below my disclaimer.)

Disclaimer:

sanders dairy free chocolate – Search

HERSHEY’S & REESE’S Plant-Based Confections | Hersheyland

UNREAL® | Chocolate Snacks

Cacao Therapy

LINDOR Non-Dairy Chocolate | LINDT

CANDY BARS – Enjoy Life

Gluten Free Pie Crust

Today I got a call from a friend asking if I had a recipe for a gluten free pie crust.

I had to tell her no, BUT I was able to let her know that I do have a frozen pie crust I love. The ‘Wholly Gluten Free 9″ Pie Shells’ in a 2 pack. They are great to work with, bake beautifully and taste fabulous.

I’m usually able to find them in either Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme or Better Health Stores, but they always seem to be down to the last two or three packages. I always buy at least two, sometimes three. Remember, they’re in the freezer section, and they last for months in the freezer.

I usually make one crust pies, lemon meringue, pumpkin, banana cream or chocolate cream. Lately I’ve gotten a little bolder with two crust pies. I’ve tried my hand at chicken pot pie and just this past week, I made a cherry pie (Kevin’s favorite) for his birthday. When I make a two-crust pie, I brush the top crust with my ‘Smart Balance’ dairy free butter. It comes out a beautiful flaky, golden brown and tastes like you’re eating pastry. Delicious!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping.

Brenda

(Links for the products are below my disclaimer.)

Home – Wholly Gluten Free

Smart Balance® – Butter Alternatives, Spreads, Oils and Dressings

Lindt Lindor Non-Dairy Oat Milk Chocolate Truffles

First I saw a commercial about these non-dairy chocolate truffles. Next, I got a $2 Kroger coupon for them and today when I stopped in the Lake Lansing Rd. Kroger, I found them. And they were on sale! Aaaannnddd…they are fabulous!!

Thank you Lindt!

Thanks for stopping!

Enjoy.
Brenda

Fun Fact: The pic of the chocolate fountain, below, is actually the Lindt chocolate fountain in their Germany factory. Kevin and I toured it eighteen years ago. I LOVE chocolate!

https://www.lindtusa.com/shop-chocolate/non-dairy?srsltid=AfmBOoprmu-s-5JiMw6lJ-Xffl6Jr_VK1yZi8C8qzXZjPI-qgiXGjD4h

Pure Maple Cream for Your Morning Coffee!

So, I recently sang the praises of the deliciousness of Nestle Coffee Mate Brown Sugar flavored Oat Creamer coffee creamer, but maybe some of you out there are looking for a more natural coffee creamer.

Jastram Farm, located in St Johns, Michigan has just what you’re looking for! All Natural Pure Maple Cream. Put a dollop or two of that in your coffee and you’re golden. (Although it won’t give you the creamy effect that you traditionally get from creamers.)

You may be asking yourself, why would Brenda take a pic with a jar that is basically empty? Because she wanted to get this post completed and had pretty much used up all of the maple cream she had on hand.

They’re just a stone’s throw from us, participate in many local craft shows, have their own store-front and a Facebook page (Jastram Farm). Check their page out to see ALL of the wonderful products they offer.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping.

Brenda

Feeling Daring?

Honestly, daring is not the emotion I was feeling that day in the grocery store. It was frustration. Once again I’d hoped I could quickly find a “ready-made frozen something” I could keep in the freezer at work for those days I don’t have leftovers to bring for lunch. Silly girl.

Then, I spied a bag with the name Daring on it. “Daring Breaded Plant Chicken Pieces” to be exact. Now I’ve said it before, I’m not vegan, but ordering vegan in a restaurant assures me that my food has been prepared without dairy or eggs. With that being said, I also want to make it clear that I am not opposed to the occasional meatless burger or chicken nuggets either.

So, I bought the bag and put it in my work freezer. A couple weeks later I took the plunge and warmed several strips up. I wrapped a couple of those puppies up in lettuce with some of my Hellmann’s Vegan Dressing and Spread. I also dipped a couple pieces in spicy mustard and a couple others in bbq sauce with some green beans on the side. Tasted great! Just like regular chicken strips. (I should let you know that Hellman’s recently changed the name from Vegan to Plant Based. I had a friend trying to find the Vegan Hellman’s recently, she called and said she could only find Hellman’s Plant Based; she asked if they were the same product. I did a quick search and discovered the name change. Yes, they are the same product.)

While they’re a bit pricey, I will not hesitate to buy them again. I mean, seriously, when eating foods that comply with your dietary restrictions, what isn’t pricey, right?

So, if you’re feeling daring the next time you’re in the grocery store, take a leap and pick up a bag of the ‘Daring’ brand of meatless chicken strips! You won’t regret it.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping.

Brenda

Links for products below my disclaimer.

Products

Click on Products up above for the Daring link.

Home | Hellmann’s US (hellmanns.com)

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with a Dusting of Cinnamon and Sugar.

Pretty tempting, right? I gotta ‘fess up right here, it’s not my recipe. It’s Kevin’s. He loves to cook and he’s oh so good at it! So on the days I work, he has dinner on the table for us when I get home. Yay!

Recently we’ve made some changes in our eating habits: Less carbs, a little more meat and a lot more vegetables.

Kevin (a total fan of all things potato) has stepped up to the plate beautifully. He’s eliminated the potatoes and is sometimes serving 2 different veggies for dinner along with our meat entree.

This is his most recent creation, served alongside meatballs. I don’t know if this is exactly the way some might envision eating more vegetables, but it works for both of us. It was fabulous and we were still eating asparagus!

Pretty simple recipe:

Preheat oven to 400.

Line baking sheet with foil.

Wrap bacon around asparagus and place on baking sheet. Give it a little dusting of that cinnamon and sugar.

Bake 15 minutes. You’re going to have to just keep an eye on it from there, checking if the asparagus is done and how you like your bacon. Kevin said once the asparagus is done, he turns up the oven to 425 degrees to crisp up the bacon a little. (That’s for my benefit.😊)

Serve right out of the oven.

We’ve since made this again, this time with a dusting of brown sugar and chili powder. Yummers!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping!

Brenda

I Found A New Coffee Creamer!

Five or six years ago my sister Bethany gave me a Keurig. I decided to spoil myself and keep it at work. It would be my reward for going into the office, splurging on a daily K-cup of coffee for putting in my time. (It’s the simple things.)

Choosing which coffee K-cups to buy was easy. Finding a dairy free coffee creamer, not so much. Kroger and Walmart in St. Johns offer a very limited pallet of choices. I’ve tried some bad and then some really bad dairy free coffee creamers. I’ve dumped many a bottle of coffee creamer (not to mention money) down the drain. I don’t know who’s making this stuff, but they need to up their game.

I’d finally settled on Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Almond Creamer Plant Based Vanilla, something I can usually find at St. John’s Kroger. It’s not fabulous, but it’s good.

But recently. my friend’s daughter, Rae, mentioned she drinks Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Oat Creamer Plant Based Brown Sugar. She said it was a game changer.

Ding! Ding! We have a winner. This is really good coffee creamer! And the sugar content is a mere four grams, that’s actually one less gram than the vanilla creamer I’ve been using. (As you know I’m a label reader. I don’t even know if four grams is that good, but it’s lower than five! I’m calling it a win.)

I’m a pretty happy girl right now! Now if I can just get someone in the St. Johns/Fowler area to carry the Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Plant Based Oat Brown Sugar Coffee Creamer it would save me from having to make a trip into Lansing for it.

My little slice of work place happiness!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping.

Brenda

https://www.goodnes.com/coffeemate/natural-bliss/

Monte Cristo – Gluten Free/Dairy Free/Egg Free

Woke up this morning feeling ambitious and hungry. Today is a good day for Monte Cristo breakfast sandwiches!

What you need:

Gluten free bread (Schar)
Sliced ham
Non-dairy cheese (Violife)
Just Egg (liquid in carton)
Hellman’s Vegan Mayo
Mustard
Optional: powdered sugar, strawberries, strawberry jam and CoCo Whip

Set out two slices of bread. Put mayo on one slice and mustard on the other. Next put cheese on the mustard side and several ham slices on the mayo side. Put your sandwich together.

Pour the Just Egg liquid in a bowl that’s large enough for you to be able to dip your sandwich (both sides) in it. Hold tight to your sandwich as you dip it in the Just Egg mixture.

Place your sandwich in a skillet on the stove – same temp. as you’d use for French toast or grilled cheese. (While cooking, I covered the pan so any of the egg mixture that may have gotten inside the sandwich would cook while toasting the bread.) Flip bread when first side is toasted and toast the other side. (I used a tongs to flip, holding everything together.) Remove the sandwich when done cooking and place on a plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Top with fresh strawberries and a dollop of Coco Whip whipped cream. (Kevin also added a little strawberry jam to his.)