By admin | April 13, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
As a home cook with three kids and a cat, I spend a lot of my time vacuuming. And since I have been forever disappointed with the vacuum I was using (too bulky to store and too heavy or cumbersome to move), I took Dyson up on an offer to test and review their Dyson DC25 All-Floors
. After putting it to the mommy test for the last couple of months, here are some of the things I really like about this Dyson:
- The swivel is THE unique feature of a Dyson vacuum. It moves and rotates on a ball, so it can swivel and turn rather than just being pushed forwards and backwards. At first, I wasn’t used to the motion. When you’ve been using a standard vacuum for years, you are accustomed to that forward/backward push and then shifting the machine as you go. So, when I started with the Dyson, it was like driving a new car. But, within a few days, I was zipping over those floors! It’s all about tilting the handle and getting the feel of that manoeuvring with your arm and wrist. Once you do, it makes for a speedier sweep. Plus, you might just find yourself having a teensy bit of fun swirling this machine around. And, if you don’t, your kids will (now we’re talking)!
- Dirt bin. All the dust and dirt collects in a cylindrical plastic bin. Not only is the bin easy to remove and empty (and, there are no bags to buy), but you can also see through it. This may sound weird, but I found it very gratifying to see how much dirt I was sucking up! The novelty of “looking at the dirt” wore off after the first week, but after having those first moments of seeing what was being collected - dust and fibers and cat hair and more - made me feel like the job was well done. Plus, since the Dyson also has a washable HEPA filter, it is grabbing up pollen, bacteria and other heeby-jeeby germophobic particles that I’d rather not think about, thank you.
- Vacuum is lightweight and compact. Moving my old vacuum was like carrying a grown adult up and down the stairs. It was also awkward to lift the base with the tubing and power head over the stairs and down again. This Dyson is relatively light and a breeze to carry up and down stairs with a handle that is cleverly placed for easy lifting and transporting. Also, its design allows for you to tuck it away nicely in a closet or corner.
- Great suction. This was one of the first things I noticed - this machine really sucks! I’ve used bigger and heavier vacuums that don’t have the same power. You really notice it on carpet, when you switch to the carpet mode button and feel the immediate suction pull of the machine. It doesn’t make the vacuuming more difficult, but the power is evident.
- Convenient power buttons. Some vacuums have you bending down to reach the on/off switch, or to change modes from floors to carpet. With this model, the buttons are right at arm’s reach under the handle. When you begin to vacuum, you simply turn on the power and depress a pedal with your foot which releases the handle from the upright position. The vacuum is then in the mode for carpeted floors, and to switch it to hardwood, you just press a button adjacent to the power button. That’s it. No changing of nozzles or power head attachments, or any other fussing.
- Handy wand for cleaning higher and hard-to-reach places. It pulls straight out with a simple movement (no bending over to change attachments), and engages immediately without pushing buttons. Once you’re finished, it collapses back into the handle and the base of the vacuum kicks into gear again - convenient!
- It can handle the bits, bobs, crumbs, scraps, hairs, grunge of three kids and a cat, plus a woman that spends most of her free time in the kitchen (ergo food particles flying off chopping boards and baking mixes scattering about). I typically vacuum after lunch hour, because by that time, the crumbs under the table could feed a few families of mice and possibly a raccoon or two. The vacuum can take up just about anything left behind by my crew, apart from the very sticky/wet bits left by babe under the high chair (that accounts for her smirks when letting milk drip from her sippy cup or when dropping bits of cooked yam).
There isn’t much I don’t like about this Dyson. Sometimes I think the power cord could be just a few feet longer (the manual specifies not to use an extension cord). Also, although I really like the cool handle wand, the tubing itself could be a little less stiff for easier stretching and reaching with the wand. Perhaps with time and usage it will ease up, but that’s something I cannot judge at this point.
Overall I am very pleased with the Dyson DC25 All-Floors vacuum - it has changed my day-to-day cleaning, making it easier and more effective with less effort. It’s so easy to use that hubby no longer gets bonus points for offering to vacuum. (okay, okay, he gets a point or two for emptying the dirt bin)! 
By admin | March 24, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Once up a time there was a mushroom pecan burger. It was good. Very good. But now, it’s better.
“In short, none of us can change the world single-handedly, and few of us are naive or self-centered enough to imagine that, in isolation, our own individual choices and ways of living will change vast social structures of inequality. Despite this fact, many of us live in ways that mirror the kind of world we think we would like to see, even if we are realistic about lasting and long-term change being difficult and requiring social struggle.” (Source: Making A Killing: The Political Economy of Animal Rights
, Bob Torres)
By admin | March 23, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Well! After all the kerfuffle on my last t/s post, I’m in the mood for a light ‘n easy post today. (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, click to read the comments).
So, thought I’d show you another muffin recipe I’ve just finished. I feel like I’m making more new muffin recipes than is necessary. But, since they are terrific snacks for the kids, double-whammy reason to keep creating. Most people like muffins anyhow, right?
With these Strawberry Goji Muffins, the wet mixture for the muffins is all pureed in a blender (that’s my Blendtec you see in the corner of the photo), and then worked into the dry mix. Every time I’ve made these, I have a moment of awe at the sheer beauty of the color of the blended mixture. With frozen strawberries and whole goji berries, the color is vibrant and stunning!
And then the batter turns a beautiful shade of pink… isn’t that lovely? I try to get every last drop of that blended glory, as you can see to the right.
So, here’s the thing with these muffins. One of our daughters likes strawberries but not gojis. And the other daughter… can you guess? Yep, she likes gojis but not strawberries. So, I’ve gotten to telling one daughter that they are goji muffins and the other daughter that they are strawberry muffins.
One day we were driving and they had the muffins as a snack. Our middle daughter said “mom, which muffin do we have, strawberry or goji?“ I realized I was in trouble, and thought quickly after a brief moment of “oops” panic. I replied “Let me see the bottoms. Turn them so I can see the wrapper on the bottom. Oh, yes, that one is the goji you have. Your wrapper had more wrinkles on the bottom. Yep, you each have the right muffins.“ Worked like a charm. I accept that I won’t be able to pull these tricks off for too much longer. I’ll do it while I can… and of course, there’s always the baby to work on. Plenty more opportunities for me to be a crafty lil’ bugger. Self-preservation as a momma!
From 1935 to 1995, the average weight of “broilers” [chickens] increased by 65 percent, while their time-to-market dropped 60 percent and their feed requirements dropped 57 percent. To gain a sense of the radicalness of this change, imagine human children growing to be three hundred pounds in ten years, while eating only granola bars and Flintstones vitamins. (Source: Eating Animals
, Jonathan Safran Foer)
By admin | March 15, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Ellen has been doing so much in recent months to bring awareness to eating vegan. I am always excited to see vegan discussions and cooking demos on her show, and to see it represented in such a sensible, honest, and positive manner. I’m feeling kind of grateful…
By admin | March 9, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
For some reason these past couple of weeks I’ve been recharged with my recipe testing. Not that I wasn’t doing any testing in the weeks or months prior, but lately I feel jazzed to test more than one recipe a day. Believe me, with the three kidlets this isn’t always easy - or
sensible. (My good friends know that I bake at the worst of times, I “bake away my stress”!)
And, there’s an excitement that I have about trying a recipe, seeing it work out, and retesting, retesting, and finishing it off - YES! I’ve been charging through a couple of biscotti recipes. One I’m still tweaking, and the other, this Orange Almond Chip Biscotti is clued up nicely. I think!
I say “I think”, because I can always retest and retest recipes. I have a hard time not testing it “one more time” just to be sure,
or to try a variation in flavor or texture or to make without gluten, or soy, or something else. Yadda yadda.
Sometimes I just have to say “enough”. So, I think with this Orange Almond Chip Biscotti, it’s just right. Enough.
By any number of measures, America’s health is failing. We spend far more, per capita, on health care than any other society in the world, and yet two thirds of Americans are overweight, and over 15 million Americans have diabetes, a number that has been rising rapidly. We fall prey to heart disease as often as we did thirty years ago, and the War on Cancer, launched in the 1970’s, has been a miserable failure. Half of Americans have a health problem that requires taking a prescription drug every week, and over 100 million Americans have high cholesterol. (Source: The China Study
)
By admin | March 4, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I know what’s in my pancake syrup… do you?
Since the 1950s, consumption of meat (since the first wave of factory farms), cheese (since the advent of take-out pizza), and sugar (in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup) have skyrocketed along side obesity rates and its related diseases, causing children today to be in the worst shape than any previous generation in our country. Due to widespread unhealthiness, boys will lose 11.6 years from our current life expectancy rates and girls will lose 14.3 years. (Source: OCA at PCRM’s Take a Bite Out of Childhood Obesity)
By admin | March 2, 2010
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
This is another new recipe I’ve just finished, and it’s become one of my very favorite soups - period.
There’s something about the warmth and complexity of the spices and seasonings in Moroccan cuisine that keeps me coming back for more… and inspires me to create new dishes using them.
This Moroccan Bean Stew offers a heaping serving of black beans, chickpeas, and lentils, along with sweet potatoes (here I’ve used yellow-fleshed), and in a fragrant, intoxicating broth infused with cinnamon, cumin, coriander, ginger, fennel, garlic and more. Topped off with roasted sliced (dried) figs. We ate this soup last night and it was most satisfying.
Speaking of yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes, do you use them much? Personally, I love them, and favor them in my cooking many times over the orange variety. But, are they widely available in most areas? Curious, since I find myself using them more and more in my new recipes.
…people who are concerned about their hearts get little benefit from switching from regular meats to lean meats, or to chicken and fish… The power foods are foods from plants. Vegetarinas have a much better menu for the heart. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians do much better than those on lean-meat diets, while pure vegetarians who steer clear of all animal products do best of all. (Food for Life
, Dr. Neal Barnard)
By admin | December 15, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Alrighty, winner is Josiane. Yay for you! Please e-mail me: dreena@everydayvegan.com so I can get your mailing details. 
Now, I need to tell you about a yummy truffle product I recently purchased through spud!. As one great thing about ordering through spud! is that their ordering page offers a ’special diets’ link where you can check out all their vegan product offerings. I usually purchase tamari roasted almonds, some breads, rolled oats, beans, and other items. Last week I noticed these Rene Rey organic soy chocolate hazelnut truffles. Thought I’d give them a try, and I’m glad I did! They’re very much like a milk chocolate truffle, with a hazelnut truffle filling inside a hard milk chocolate-like coating. Creamy and yummy! And, not too expensive, so if you are ordering from spud!, these may be a good stocking stuffer. We can fill our own stockings, right?… or at least add a thing or two. or three.
By admin | December 11, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Want a couple of inexpensive and baking-themed gift ideas for the holidays? I’ve been busy, busy
posting recipes for you guys!
Link through for recipes you can make to give as gifts (includes a new recipe) and for suggestions to pack a little something extra with those sweets, if you so choose!
Now, since we are thinking about gift-giving, don’t we have a giveaway to take care of? After having a read, come back and comment on this post with which treat mentioned that you would most like to receive… and, feel free to offer your own inexpensive gift suggestions that might inspire other readers. All comments will be entered to win a copy of one of my cookbooks (rules, as always).
And, on another note, I recently finished an interview with Janae of the veganmothering. She had some fun, inspired questions for me as part of her “Real Vegan Momma” interview series, and I really enjoyed conversing with her. Even if you don’t want to read the whole interview, check out Janae’s blog anyhow! It is beautiful and inspiring (as she is), and with regular informative posts.
Stay tuned for my next post about my Christmas Day menu… and yes, I will be posting the recipes!
By admin | November 10, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
At last, I’ve posted the Oatbran Applesauce ‘n Raisin Muffins. Go get the recipe.
And, on the trend of wholesome snacks, I’m just finishing up this Proper Healthy Granola Bar recipe - it’s very satisfying, and chewy and just sweet enough!
Finally, I want to share a cookbook project that Nava Atlas has completed. Nava has generously taken the effort to compile recipes from a variety of vegan cooks and chefs to create A Bountiful Vegan Thanksgiving. This is an e-book, that is only $8.95, and profits will be donated to humanitarian charities. Please link through to read more and purchase your copy in time for the holidays! And, thank you Nava for selflessly devoting your time to help others with this project.
By admin | October 22, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
After seeing a video link about ‘Extreme Cuisine’ on my msn home page the other day, I couldn’t resist writing about it in my new T/S article… have a read (and watch the video - if you dare) .
By admin | October 20, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
a friend on facebook points me to this link (scroll down)…
I KNOW! Exciting! Before I explain, I must share how much I adore Ellen. I watch her show while making lunches during the day, and record it for days that I’m running around with the kids. When I was pregnant last year and feeling sick and miserable… and then big and uncomfortable… she brought me laughter and also just an uplifted feeling with the spirit she has and gives to others. I enjoy her chemistry with her staff (especially Tony), her generous nature with her audience and fans, and her clever interaction with her guests. I used to love her Ellen sitcom many years ago as well!
I have contacted Ellen’s show quite a few times - in fact, they may have started ‘flagging’ my e-mails! First off, I sent a mailing of ed&bv soon after it was published. Then, I noticed she was featuring more guests about plant-based/vegan diets, and every time one of those spots aired I fired off an e-mail of gratitude… and also gushed that I would love to be on her show to cook some treats for her and her guests. And, I mailed another copy of ed&bv (along with Vive if my mama memory serves me correctly)!
Now that she is vegan, she is continuing to show more segments about vegan cooking/foods, etc. This past week she had a cooking segment with Wolfgang Puck making veggie pizzas. One of my fb friends, Alison, mentioned this segment in a comment. I noted that I “liked” it on fb… and then Alison replied to me how cool it was to see ed&bv on Ellen’s web page. ???!!! I had no idea! Though there’s no additional info on ed&bv when you link through to see the list of books in more details, I am stoked to see that ed&bv has somehow reached Ellen.
Let’s just say my birthday came a little early this year.
By admin | October 4, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Two entirely unrelated topics, muffins and babe magnets. What’s the connection?
Well, there isn’t one, other than I wanted to share that I will be posting the recipe for the Oat Bran Applesauce ‘n Raisin Muffins soon… and, that hubby and I are babe magnets.
Back with more soon…!
By admin | September 28, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
These are two new muffin recipes I’ve been working on. To the left we have Olive Oil Almond Muffins, which have a barley flour/almond meal batter, and are lightly seasoned with zests of orange and lemon.
And, to the right… Oat Bran Raisin ‘n Applesauce Muffin. This one I created after receiving a request for a bran muffin, so I decided to focus on oat bran rather than wheat bran. It’s very tender and moist despite being a ‘bran’ muffin!
These are very healthy muffins. Unlike some other muffins… Stop! Don’t eat! (but really, truly, I promise those are healthy too!)
(p.s. I’ll post one of these new muffin recipes soon… which do you want?)
By admin | September 28, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Okay, I had to draw another winner for the cookbook giveaway, and it’s Meems. (Comment was “In winter, you love to be in front of your fireplace with a cup of herbal tea…that sounds wonderful! I don’t have a fireplace but snuggle up in my favorite chair with my blanket, tea and some yummy treat!”) Please e-mail me in the next few days - dreena@everydayvegan.com.
By admin | September 16, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
The back-to-school blues giveaway winner is Crazy Vegan Mom! (ha, that could be my blog name as well!) Congrats! Please e-mail me at dreena@everydayvegan.com so I can get your mailing details.
And, thought I’d show you a couple of pics of what I’m up to with new recipes…
Berry Patch Brownies. Made wheat-free with spelt flour. Very fudgy. Very tempting. Very delicious! Now I feel like making more…
Quinoa Nicoise. Elements of the classic Nicoise salad (green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, olives but obviously without the tuna, eggs, and anchovies) worked into a quinoa salad tossed with a tangy caper-tarragon vinaigrette. I love this salad, and it makes a terrific potluck item.
Back with more soon… have a sweet day and some bake up something to make your house smell divine!
By admin | September 9, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I got the back-to-school blues, and am singin’ my woes in my latest T/S piece. I don’t know if other parents out there feel like I do. I realize I’m in the minority with this sentiment, but hey, I’m not really ‘in the norm’ anyhow!
So, I thought I’d try to lift spirits with a cookbook giveaway (you choose which cookbook)! It’s been a while since I’ve thrown a book your way, and now’s a good time! Even if you already have my books, you can always score a copy to give to a friend, or relative… maybe help with your Christmas gift list?!
Comment on this post to enter, and with the answer to this question: when the winter weather hits, where will you likely find Dreena? (hint: click through to find the answer). Also, the standard rules of my giveaways apply, found here.
Be sure to leave your comment on this blog post, not on the True/Slant article (of course you’re always welcome to comment on t/s, but that comment will not be eligible for the contest).
Go read, and good luck!
By admin | September 9, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Thought I’d let you all know that I have a cooking feature in the
September issue of
alive magazine. The article is “
Mushroom Mania“, and includes my recipes for
Sesame Lime Soba Noodles with Shiitake Mushrooms and Snow Peas (pictured), and
Seared Portobello Mushrooms.
And, this luscious, gluten-free Raspberry Almond Torte (new recipe!) will be featured in an upcoming Alive issue (December I believe), so stay tuned for that one… it’s a goody!
Now, I have a question that perhaps a few of you might be able to help with. I’m looking for software for recipe analysis. Most of the programs I have looked into so far have very few, if any, alternative and vegan ingredients. Things like brown rice flour, spelt flour, nutritional yeast, silken tofu, etc, just aren’t included in these programs. I’m willing to input the information, if needed, and if it’s an otherwise excellent program. So, I’m wondering if any of you have recommendations for a very good program (that’s not too expensive)? Especially if you work with the program, perhaps in nutritional counselling, but maybe otherwise, even for personal use. Any feedback would be useful!
By admin | September 1, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I’ve loved sweets since I was a kidlet, and in my current True/Slant post, I’m all about defending desserts! (Well, the good kind, that is - no dairy, eggs, white sugar, etc.)
Read on for the dish on sweets and get the recipes for my Berry Apple Grunt and Peanut “Better” Cookies… but please resist the temptation to call me puddin’, okay?!
By admin | August 27, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
Learn more about goji berries in my latest T/S post… plus, grab the recipe for “Hemp-anola“ (with some gojis tossed in for good measure, of course)!
Maybe it’s time to start saying “
a goji a day keeps the doctor away“… okay, well maybe a handful of gojis a day - nah, that doesn’t have the same ring. And, no, I’m not bashing the good ol’ apple. As long as it’s organic. Okay, I’ll stop rambling. Go
read!
By admin | August 25, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
These Banana Nut Squares are a new raw dessert recipe that I mentioned on my recent TVA interview. Our middle daughter loves them, and they look and taste far more sinful than they really are - I love that!
Not too much more I want to say about them, mostly wanted to share some photos. Because really I need to get my butt back to editing my recipes so I can get some testers in line (I know you want to, and thank you for your e-mails and comments about testing).
Then eventually get this cookbook in order. Eventually…
By admin | August 19, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I talk about hemp seeds in my current T/S post, and include cooking tips and two recipes using hemp seeds - one for a Hemp-anana Smoothie (a current morning fix for me!) and “Spicoli” Burgers.
Go get your hemp on!
(p.s. Millie, I haven’t received an e-mail from you about the Xan Confections giveaway. If I don’t get an e-mail from you by Wednesday the 19th, I’ll have to draw another winner… so please e-mail soon if you’re reading!)
By admin | August 13, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I have recipes for a Banana-Berry Soft Serve, Warm Strawberry Sauce, and Fresh Strawberry Sauce in my new T/S post (all about what to do with all those summer berries we stock up on)! These three recipes are ridiculously easy, perfect for lazy summer days when you really don’t feel like working too hard in the kitchen!
And… the winner of the Xan Confections giveaway is Millie (comment#3, “these are too pretty to eat”). Congrats Millie! Please send me an e-mail at dreena@everydayvegan.com so we can arrange the mailing.
Also, I just finished a podcast interview with the Toronto Vegetarian Association, and you can have a listen here. Plus, link through for my Rawesome Nut Dip recipe (and if you listen to the podcast, you’ll find a whole new meaning of “double-dipping”… call it “tongue-dipping” perhaps - eww!)… AND there’s a chance for you to win one of my cookbooks!
By admin | August 10, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I had the good fortune to sample Xan Confections vegan chocolates recently. While not all of their chocolates are vegan, two of their assortments are: Saintly Sins and Jewels. I received both collections to sample, a 3-piece of Saintly Sins, and a 7-piece of Jewels. These are filled dark chocolates, and not only are they exquisitely beautiful, they taste divine.
The Saintly Sins are fruit-filled dark chocolates. I am the first to say that I’ve never been a fan of fruit-filled types of chocolates. Why? Well, they are usually sickly sugary sweet with an oddly gooey filling that barely resembles any real fruit flavor. Not so with Saintly Sins. There are pure fruits mixed with agave nectar in the centres. I think the raspberry chocolate was my favorite with an intense, not-too sweet, full raspberry flavor oozing out of that dark-chocolate casing. And, as you can see, these chocolates are simply gorgeous to look at.
Next, the 7-piece box of Jewels. First, these were almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. Yes, I found the strength to bite through these edible pieces of art. It was a tough job, but I was up for the hard work! As many of you know, I’m a chocolate lover, but you may not know that I love caramel equally as much, and when the two are in combination it is a blissful experience for me! 
Here they were, jewels of chocolate covered caramels, each caramel owning and individual flavor profile. You can see the flavor options here, and I think my favorite was the Coconut Pecan Caramel (pictured sliced)… but there were close runner-ups in that race! The only flavor I didn’t care for was the Ancho Chili Caramel. I realize that hitting chocolate with fiery spice is desirable for some, but not for me, and the chili was worked through the caramel filling so it was just too hot on my tongue to enjoy or to even eat. But, others might love that kind of intense heat in their chocolate. Apart from that one caramel, I savored each and every other delicious jewel in the box!
If you are shopping for Xan Chocolates, be sure to note that only their “Lifestyle Chocolates” (the Jewels and Saintly Sins) are vegan. They are also gluten-free and have a low-glycemic index (using agave nectar, not artificial sweeteners).
My only complaint with these chocolates is that I wanted more! (greedy mama, huh?) And, that I’m not able to buy them locally. Xan Chocolates are certainly more expensive than other vegan chocolates, but they are chocolate art - worth splurging on if you want to indulge in some chocolate luxury yourself, or perhaps buy exceptional chocolates for someone you love. We all deserve that kind of chocolate loving once in a while.
By admin | August 3, 2009
Submitted by Vive Le Vegan Blog
I’m talking about parenting in my new True/Slant post. I wonder how many of you will relate to how I feel as a mom, straddling two generational styles of parenting…?
It’s a bit of a lengthy one, so get your cup of tea/coffee, and piece of chocolate!
For some reason these past couple of weeks I’ve been recharged with my recipe testing. Not that I wasn’t doing any testing in the weeks or months prior, but lately I feel jazzed to test more than one recipe a day. Believe me, with the three kidlets this isn’t always easy - or sensible. (My good friends know that I bake at the worst of times, I “bake away my stress”!)
