A Few Of My Favorite (Vegan!) Things

Hi friends! Something a little different for you today. Well, maybe not altogether different if you’ve been with me a while. I used to blog here, and started in 2005. Yep, waaaay back!

I’ve changed so much of what I blog, focusing mostly on recipes and some parenting posts. But, I used to love sharing “a few of my favorite things” back then. Kind of like if Julie Andrews were vegan – and believe me it’s better I blog this than sing it.

Folks often ask me what products I use – what vinegar, what coconut butter, what miso… and on. So, let’s have a return to this feature and see how it goes!

Here are a few of my favorite things...

A GOOD Tahini
I love a good tahini. Brands really vary in taste and texture. Some of the best tasting brands I haven’t found in stores, but rather online. This alwadi brand is one of the good ones, buttery and mild. It’s not as available on amazon as it once was, unless you buy multiples. The Baron brand is also quite good. When I buy locally, I opt for Artisana or New World Organic. While not quite as buttery, still good and less bitter than most other tahini brands.

I sometimes refer to a “good quality tahini” in my recipes, such as my Crazy Brownies from Plant-Powered Families. They can make all the difference for taste, not just in classic dishes like hummus, but also as a nut-free substitute. Try it, there’s no turning back! p.s. If you have other brands to share, please comment!

Coconut butter
I think I get a question about coconut butter every day from readers. It is not coconut oil. It is the whole foods coconut pureed into a dense, thick, dry butter. For me, it’s a magical ingredients in desserts. I’ve been using it since writing LTEV, and then it wasn’t very available in stores. Now, it’s in just about all grocery stores, as well as online. I’ve used it in many desserts in PPF, and talk about it in more depth in this cookie post. The Nutiva brand is one of I buy all the time. I also sometimes buy Artisana online.

So Delicious Cashew Milk ice creams
I’ve tried this flavor, the creamy cashew, and the chocolate truffle. I haven’t tried the snickerdoodle yet and have heard it’s even better than this salted caramel cluster. Zoinks!! I don’t have an amazon link for you, because, well, ice cream! But, I believe these ice creams are now available in most whole foods and even grocery stores. So, run, don’t walk. Get the scoop. Trust me.

Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Teriyaki Sauce
I use this on hot quinoa for a lunch bowl, and on steamed kale and other veggies in lunch bowl. Of course, you could use it as a standard teriyaki sauce. For me, it’s a great alternative to a salad dressing, or combined with a vinegar for a dressing. Full flavor, and Coconut Secret also has a soy-free ‘tamari’. It isn’t quite as deep and intense as the tamari I usually buy, but a great soy-free alternative.

Next, stepping out of the kitchen…

Sanuk Women’s Slingshot Yoga Flip-Flops
We took a trip to Disneyland last year, our first time. My feet were aching. I found this shop with these Sanuk yoga sandals. I tried on these slingshot flip-flops and fell in love! First: the comfort. They have a slight arch and apparently made from yoga mat material, so they really feel like a pillow under your foot. Second: The design. I love the idea of flip flops, but cannot wear them! Unless they have some sort of sling or support around the back of my foot, I just am not meant to wear them. Having to tense my feet and toes to hold on a pair of shoes while walking does not feel good – or make sense. These give the support you need, and still keep your tootsies super cool! Third: They’re are other yoga sling sandals, but some have a much thicker, heavier sling. These are lighter and easier to wear with just about anything!

Fourth: They come in other colors. Fifth: They’re vegan! 🙂 Even though summer is winding down, I’m ordering another pair of these, because Charlotte has claimed mine. Yep, we’re at that stage.

Plant-Powered Bamboo Tank
I introduced my plant-powered gear a few months ago, and ordered a few times myself. I had no idea how much I’d love this bamboo tank. I’ve worn it so much this summer, it’s almost embarrassing. 😉

Here I am at Ottawa VegFest (this past June) with Dee, one of the fabulous organizers. This tank has washed well, and kept it’s shape. It’s a little longer in the torso and I like that. Covers over the waist and on to the hips with shorts, a skirt, or jeans. I’ll be wearing it as long as I can through the fall!

Do you use/love any of these? Do you have any product faves you’d like me to feature? Share up!

Pretty please reminder: Plant-Powered Families has been nominated for FAVE VEGAN COOKBOOK in the 2015 VegNews Veggie awards. If you haven’t yet voted, please send your vote my way! <3

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