Vegan for a Day: Pad Thai Pizza

There is a word that makes people really afraid.  That word is:  tofu.  Even before going vegan, I was a little afraid of tofu.  But that's because I'd never had it cooked well! It was always mushy and had a weird texture. Tofu done the right way (it should be firm!) can be an awesome substitute for meat--in fact, Aurora prefers it to any meat she's tried!  

This week's Meatless Monday recipe combines two of my absolute favorite foods:  Pad Thai and Pizza. How could it not be awesome?  It just so happens to contain tofu as a topping.  Are you intrigued?

Q encouraged me to make a vegan dinner for him for Father's Day, and this one got rave reviews.  As a bonus, this is my favorite, self-made Pad Thai peanut sauce recipe and can be easily mixed in with some rice noodles, sprouts, carrots, and scallions (or whatever other veggies you love) for a quick veg pad thai! It's like two recipes in one.

Vegan Pad Thai Pizza

INGREDIENTS

Sauce
 2 tablespoons organic creamy peanut butter
 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari to make it gluten free)
 2 tablespoons sweet Thai chili sauce
 2 teaspoons minced garlic (or 2-3 cloves fresh garlic)
 1 teaspoon agave syrup
 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Crust
Your store bought favorite!  I used Trader Joe's whole wheat crust.  Bob's Red Mill makes a great Gluten Free mix.

Toppings   
5-7 oz. baked tofu, cut into small chunks (I used Trader Joe's Teriyaki version for added flavor.)
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/3 cup bean sprouts (or pea shoots, which we substituted since our TJ's awas out of bean sprouts!)
1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 small red pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro (optional...we don't like cilantro all that much and I didn't have any on hand, so we didn't use it on last night's pizza)

PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to prepare pizza crust as necessary (you may need to pre-bake the crust before adding toppings, depending on what you're using. Read the directions first!). While waiting, chop up tofu and veggies.


2.  Mix together sauce ingredients in a small bowl.  Note:  the sauce may seem like a small amount, but unlike tomato pizza sauce, peanut sauce is very rich, so a little goes a long way. 


3. Once pizza crust is ready, cover with half the peanut sauce.

4. Toss tofu chunks with remaining peanut sauce and spread out on crust.

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until crust is lightly brown (or according to directions).  A pizza stone will make for the best crust, but a regular pizza pan will do.

6.  Once pizza is cooked, pile veggies on top, sprinkling with peanuts and scallions last.

 Voila! The pizza is so loaded that Q and I each only ate one piece.  That also means we get to have leftovers tonight--SCORE.

 

But that's not all...I also made my favorite kale recipe as a side dish (even though the Pad Thai pizza ended up being SO filling). Kale is a food staple in the vegan world, both raw and cooked.  This is my favorite quick recipe for kale--we eat it at least once a week.  It's a delicious way to get those greens in! Q loves it too.

Q & A's Easy Sauteed Kale

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (or 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped)  
1 large bag kale (6-8 cups...it really cooks down)
2-3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari)
2 (heaping) tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, but makes it extra yummy.)

PREPARATION

1.  Add coconut oil to frying pan on medium heat.  When it starts to bubble a bit, add garlic and brown lightly, 1-2 minutes.

2.  Add kale to pan, one large bunch at a time.  To help it cook down (and create a sauce), I add 1-2 tablespoons water to the first batch to heat things up.

3. Continue adding kale to pan, tossing well with garlic/oil mixture.  The kale will turn a beautiful dark green and wilt.
4. Once kale is almost completely wilted, add soy sauce to pan and toss to coat the kale.
5. Add nutritional yeast and mix well.  (It adds a slightly nutty, cheesy flavor, and it's so good for you!) 

  
This was a yummy, easy, vegan Father's Day meal--I hope you'll try it and let me know what you think, if you think of any other yummy pizza toppings!  And if you have a favorite kale recipe, send it my way too!

Bon Apetit,
Amanda 

Father's Day: A Love Story

I have briefly mentioned or maybe hinted at it in other blog posts, but the unashamed truth is this:  Q is Aurora's Dad, but not biologically.  He's the only dad she knows/will know and the Dad I believe she was meant to have. It has been a rough, but beautiful journey bringing our families together. I wanted to share a little about Aurora's "Da-Da" in honor of Father's Day.

Q had been a long time friend who came back into my life when I had hit rock bottom:  three months after finalizing my divorce from my HS sweetheart, I found out I was pregnant. At the time, I wasn't in a serious relationship. I had broken up with the person who is Aurora's bio-dad because I knew he wasn't right for me, and we were not a good match. I had just finished graduate school and was looking for a job. My living space was in turmoil, and I had no idea what to do.  No, I wasn't 16, I was 27, but it was just as scary.  I came to the conclusion that I would have to move back home and figure everything out.  It was an extremely difficult and sad decision.

I sent an email out from the place I worked, letting them know there would be a new office manager (but not what was going on)--when Q got the email, he sent me an email to check in and see where I was going.  I told him about the pregnancy, my lack of insurance and job, the potential move, etc.  The first thing he emailed back to me was this:

Wow -- that's awesome.  I know a few things about children, and people, and I'm telling you: you're going to be a great Mom.  As for the logistics, and the "terrified," I have a big bear hug for you.  Let me know when you want to collect.

We set a date to meet  for breakfast, and decided to meet up for the next few weeks, just to keep in touch (and keep me sane). There were no romantic feelings at this point--Q had just come out of a very difficult relationship, and was also divorced.  Also:  Q is 15 years older than me with two teenage daughters from his first marriage.  A more unlikely couple to the outside world there never was...

New Year's Eve, 2009

 But something began to happen.  Q started taking care of me in ways I didn't know I needed to be cared for.  He was there when a lot of other people weren't.  He didn't pressure himself on me; in fact, he was just this quiet, calming presence.  One night, he texted me to check outside my door:  I had two bags of groceries waiting for me.  I hadn't been able to go out because I was having such bad nausea/fatigue in the first trimester.  When I saw the groceries on my doorstep, I just cried.  Even more incredible was that he chose all of things I love--and I never told him.  It was like he read my mind!  For me, that was a turning point where I started to wonder and question what was happening.  But with so much other life upheavals going on, the idea of a new relationship (and such a nontraditional one!) didn't seem in the cards.


But God had other plans.  And I don't say that as a cliche:  we really felt like we were not in control of what was happening.  Even though I was moving 4 hours away, was pregnant, was much younger, we had faith that we were meant to be together. Even when our families were extremely against the relationship (which, to the outside, seemed like the worst idea ever), we had this quiet confidence that everything would work out.  There were ups and downs, and a long distance relationship that had its hardships, but things did work out. Not without a lot of crying, hurting, praying, questioning and doubting, but also not without an abundance of thankfulness and joy (and lots and lots of love letters, text messages, and gchats!).

Q's proposal!  The waitress captured the whole thing. (Aurora is in my belly!)

We were engaged (January, after 8 months of dating)--then Aurora was born (February)--then we were married (May).  It was quite an unexpected, but not unwelcome whirlwind of events!

Q and Aurora

Q loved me first, with such great passion and devotion.  And he loved Aurora before she was born by loving me.  I can't imagine life without him, and I can't imagine a better father to my daughter.  We--his girls--are so very blessed.

Easter 2011

As far as anyone is concerned, Q is Aurora's dad.  He loves her like she is his own, and I think that's because, in his mind (and mine), she is.  I know that as Aurora gets older, she will have questions and she will want to know about her bio-dad. I know that will be hard, but I also don't doubt that she will feel confident in the Love that Q has for her, that she won't feel abandoned, that she will feel even more special because she was chosen for a place in this very special, very grateful family.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads--especially to my husband, the best one there is! (In my very humble opinion.)

xo,
Amanda

Green

I feel like being "green" is sort of trendy right now.  Even the term "green" has become kind of a buzz word.  Like if something is labeled as "green" it makes it cool to buy.  But often times these things are more expensive than their non-environmentally-friendly counterparts.
I am all for helping out the environment (vintage=super green!) but honestly, when I'm cutting corners and being "green"(sick of the quotation marks yet?) it is often times more so to save me some green...
My parents got me this umbrella clothes line for Christmas and we finally got it set up in the yard.  I loved seeing all Lyla's tiny baby clothes lined up on the rack, basking in the sunshine.  And it doesn't hurt that it will save lots of electricity (hello, cheaper electric bill!) from not using the dryer.

What kind of things do you do to be "green" that also save you some green?

xo
Jayme

We Got Dressed.

I know that usually these outfit posts would be called something like "Mom Style" or "Fashion [insert day of week]" but I just feel like those titles are a little too ambitious for the kind of outfits I'm posting.  So I'm simply calling it "We Got Dressed".  So yes, I'm wearing the same chambray skirt that I've worn in at least two other posts...but trust me, it is a step up from the jeans/yoga pants, tshirt, and flip flops combo that has become my daily wardrobe.  Of course Miss Lyla is dressed to the nines most every day, and this day was no different.

Lyla's wearing:  halter dress-The Children's Place (a hand-me-down from Aurora),
ruffle leggings- Gymboree, patent bow flats- Baby Gap

I must admit this wasn't what I wore most of the day (yoga pants and a v-neck t-shirt were much more practical for my morning walk and my afternoon on the sofa, nursing a bambino).  I put this outfit on right before Andrew got home from work.  We then went to get iced coffees and go for a little walk....and I ended up taking my shoes off and walking in my bare feet.  Classy.

Mama's wearing:  plaid shirt/leather and macrame belt/chambray skirt (shortened)- all vintage,
basket weave wedge sandals- Seychelles (thrifted)   Dada's wearing:  pocket polo shirt- Paper Denim & Cloth,
shorts- J. Crew, flip flops- Havaianas

Can I just say--my husband always looks so handsome!  He has to dress business casual for work.  On this day he wore that shirt to work (with pants and desert boots) and just changed into the shorts for our evening.  I refer to him as "dada" in that caption because that's what Lyla calls him...yep, as of last night she officially says "Dada"!  Not gonna lie, it brought a [happy] tear to my eye to hear her say it.  And just a couple days before Father's Day?  That girl knows how to put on a show!

**We're doing our first link up to Small Style on Mama Loves Papa this week!  Click the link to see the other mini-fashionistas!

xo

Jayme

Spare a click for our efforts to look pretty?

What Aurora Wore: Our Favorite Vintage Find (So Far)

This little hand embroidered dress is one of those finds that made my heart race a little faster when I put it in the cart. The cut and colors are so perfect, and it's so bohemian-looking. It's a little big on Aurora (you could see cleavage if she had any!), so I'm either 1) saving it for later in the summer or 2) putting it in the shop soon!

The shops so far this summer have been very slow. We're hoping to remedy that by posting more/more often and blogging more to grow our fans (have you voted for us today/yesterday/any day on Top Baby Blogs?  We'd really love to find a place in the Top 50 so we can gain new readers!  We really, really appreciate it. A lot.)

Anyway, onto the dress!  I've been dressing Aurora up a lot these days, since it's been so hot...when she's not in a diaper, she's rocking a cute little sundress or romper.

Isn't it so sweet and retro?  I have a hard time deciding which items to put in the shop once Aurora outgrows, etc. and which ones to save...in case future baby #2 is a girl! We also pass some cute stuff down to Lyla, so that it's Aunt Jayme's decision! ;)

xo,
Amanda

Lyla, lately

Lyla's 6 month appointment/update is right around the corner.  But I just wanted to share a little of what she's been up to lately.

The past couple of weeks she has really got her "rolling" down.  She can barrel roll across the room.  This means a couple things--
1. Our [tiny] living room has been overtaken with baby toys and our floor is now covered with a comforter that belonged to my husband since middle school. Practical, yes.  Attractive, no.  So please just ignore the 90s, plaid backdrop of these photos.
2.  If I leave the room for more than a minute it is very likely that I will find Lyla either halfway under the sofa or on the verge of rolling off the edge of the blanket onto the hardwood floor.  Fun stuff.

Lyla's other new trick?  Trying to crawl!  She gets herself into push up position, and either bends her knees or rocks back and forth.  She can scoot backwards and once she figures out how to work those arms she will be well on her way to a full-on crawl (how is this all happening soooo fast??).

As for me, I'm feeling a bit stir crazy lately.  Ready for our summer vacations to start (we're visiting Amanda next weekend!) and to get off this couch I seem to be glued to.

xo
Jayme

Thanks for reading...if you like our blog would you mind clicking below to vote for us on Top Baby Blogs?  Our goal is to reach the top 50!

Vegan for a Day: Salt n' Vinegar Potato Salad

I'm so excited to share my very first vegan recipe post! I hope to do one of these posts every Monday.  Have you heard of Meatless Mondays? A lot of people across America are choosing to go meat-free once a week. Not only is is great for your health, but it's also great for the environment. Check out the link to learn more!  I thought it made perfect sense to share a recipe on the blog on Mondays for this very reason. You can be Vegan for a day and see how you like it! It's not a huge commitment, but it makes a huge difference.

My parents make an awesome redskin potato salad...heavy on the hardboiled egg and mayo.  Potato salads are a summer BBQ staple, but I didn't think just substituting vegenaise for the mayo and eliminating the eggs would do the job.  So I decided to look for a vinaigrette-based potato salad.  I adapted this recipe from Gourmet and I couldn't have been more pleased!  (Neither could my non-vegan husband and parents, who loved it too!)

Salt n' Vinegar Potato Salad
adapted from Gourmet

INGREDIENTS

• 4-5 green onions (scallions), chopped
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3-4 lbs. baby redskin potatoes, boiled (or microwaved), cut into quarters
• 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning*
• 1 T agave syrup
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

PREPARATION

Toss together onions, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Marinate at room temperature, tossing occasionally, until slightly softened, about 30 minutes. 

Cook potatoes until tender.

While potatoes cook, whisk together 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning with sugar, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and remaining 1/2 cup vinegar in a small bowl. This will form your "sauce."

When potatoes are cool enough to handle but still warm, cut into wedges (peel if desired, but personally, I like to leave the skins on!). Toss warm potatoes with vinegar mixture in a large bowl. Add onion mixture and oil, tossing to combine. Add more Old Bay seasoning (to taste) if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature (though it's still yummy when it's cold too!)

*I didn't have Old Bay seasoning, so I made this mixture with paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne. It was still delicious!

I know potato salad is more of a side dish than a meal...but we made it an easy vegan meal by pairing it with grilled zucchini strips and pineapple/veggie kabobs.

 I brushed the zucchini strips with a mixture of:  

2T olive oil, 1T Italian seasoning and 1-2T white wine vinegar.

white button mushrooms, red pepper, green pepper, pineapple, and sweet onions. Brush w/ olive oil and add salt and pepper before grilling.

Our rustic, cinder block grill. 

This was a refreshing, healthy and filling meal. A great way to end a busy summer day!

I hope you'll try the potato salad...and let me know how you like it.

Bon Apetit!
Amanda