Good morning! We had a nice flight (read: left on time, arrived on time) and enjoyed our first day in Florida by running errands and chilling out. We started with lunch.
(Like my “Friend not Food” hoodie? You can get it here!)
First up, Fried Tofu.
After lunch we ran some errands. We’re having our big holiday meal on Christmas Eve and though one guest is bringing a vegan item (sweet potato casserole) I’m in charge of anything else vegan so I’m going to make three dishes. I also wanted to pick up foods for the vegans and non-vegans to enjoy over the four days.
So what’s happening there? From the left: lemons, garlic, (vegan) wine, raw green bean salad, tempeh salad, Tofurky beer brats, romaine lettuce, red kale, scallions, pecans, Earth Balance mindful mayo, chickpeas (do you know how long it’s been since I bought canned chickpeas? I miss my pressure cooker!), MorningStar breakfast patties (EDITED: eek! these are made with egg whites–I won’t be eating them!), dried cherries, Sriracha, So Delicious vanilla bean coconut milk ice cream, almond slivers and two raw cookies.
Little did I know, back at the house, my mother-in-law had a surprise for me.
I posted this picture on my Facebook page yesterday and people wanted the cookie recipe ASAP! Good news folks, it’s easy! She simply used a packaged sugar cookie mix and opted for Earth Balance and Ener-G egg replacer. She added chunks of dark chocolate, dried cranberries and chopped mixed nuts. So good!
After errands I kicked back.
(Don’t worry, by 2:00 p.m. today those nasty feet are going to look stunning because I have a pedicure appointment!)
As I was getting caught up on Facebook and Twitter I got some fun news. My photo of the kale-polenta cutlets from Celebrate Vegan is on The Today Show’s food blog: Have vegan holiday guests? Make them a feast of grains. How cool is that?! (Thanks, Dynise!)
I napped and then suddenly it was time for dinner. My husband volunteered to make a vegan meal for all three of us (two omnivores and one vegan).
He prepared the Tofurky beer brats by lightly sauteing them and then steaming them in, well, beer. He then sautéed garlic and sweet peppers to serve on the side.
He also made a salad with romaine lettuce, cucumber, beets and apple and topped it off with a dressing that included olive oil, balsamic vinegar, hearty grain mustard, salt and pepper.
It was a lovely first day of vacation!
17 thoughts on “Day one in Florida: Stock the kitchen with vegan food + What? I have a photo on The Today Show food blog?!”
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I’d like to plan my future vacation when you and your husband can come along. It looks like you have a great holiday ahead of you.
Sending you lots of love from Bali.
xo
Girl, I want to vacation with you!!! Dave will cook for us, promise! 🙂 Miss you and xo
Congrats on the Today show exposure! That’s awesome.
Thank you, dear Beth! Happy holidays! xo
Congrats on the photo on the Today Show Blog! I’ll be heading to Clearwater in about 2 weeks. I’m really looking forward to it. Merry Christmas!
Oh, enjoy Clearwater! Happy holidays to you, too!
My hubby brought those breakfast patties home for me a few weeks ago and I was glad I read the ingredients before eating. Crazy!
Completely crazy!
Aww, welcome to my home state! Enjoy this awesome weather!
I wish I was there in that airy room feet up with computer. I’m taking a mental vacation just looking at that. Love it, your man in kitchen, groceries to stock up first thing. Thanks for sharing. So much fun.
Congrats on getting some national exposure on the Today Show – that’s awesome! Also, props to your hubby for cooking such a tasty looking dinner!
I love Sriracha!
Congrats on getting your photo on The Today Show site! I love Pad See Ew! Where in Florida are you, JL? Your place looks beautiful!!!
We are staying with my mother-in-law in New Smyrna Beach. Her home is indeed lovely.
I’m surprised you found all that vegan food! I am curious where you went for it. I will email you with some tips. Enjoy the weather! It was a lot colder last week, it warmed up just for you. 😉
Bitt, I hit up Health’s Natural Market first and get my organic produce, raw salads and raw cookies. Then to ABC for vegan wine (using my Barnivore app since I’m beta testing for them!). Finally Publix where I was able to get Lightlife, Tofurky and So Delicious products.
Those cookies look fantastic! How awesome of your mother in law!