Super Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

Got a bit of a sweet tooth late last night and decided to try making some peanut butter cookies.  I used to work at a restaurant in Wilmington, NC that had a bakery in it and we made these really easy peanut butter cookies, only they used egg.  So I changed up the recipe a little and used more healthy versions of the ingredients like raw sugar and organic un-salted peanut butter.  You can use whatever peanut butter you have on hand, but I feel like the un-salted PB balances out all the sugar :)

Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
(Makes 1 dozen)

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed
3 Tbsp Water
1 Cup Raw Sugar
1 Cup Organic No-salt added Peanut Butter

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Stir flax and water together in a small bowl or cup and let sit about 5 minutes.  
*Combine flax mixture and raw sugar together in a medium bowl. 
*Mix in peanut butter.
*With hands, form into little balls about 2".
*Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and press down with a fork. Turn fork and press across first fork imprint.  
*Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on oven.
*Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on cookie sheet.  
*The cookies will be very soft when they first come out, once they cool they will harden, so do not be alarmed and think they are not done.  

Ecco Bella Vegan Mascara

So, not too long ago I decided I needed to get rid of all of my makeup and trade it in for the Vegan versions of it.  Finding most of it was pretty easy.  Wal-Mart even carries the "Hard Candy" products line of which, many are vegan and all are cruelty-free. I purchased several of them and will be posting those reviews a little later.  I was not very impressed by their vegan mascara selection, so I decided to go online and search around.  After reading many reviews and comparing prices I settled on:

 Ecco Bella Mascara 

Pros:
*Vegan and Cruelty Free.
*Limited Ingredients:  Purified water, carnauba wax, palmitic acid (from palm oil), clay, methylparaben, propylparaben and iron oxides.
*Price: Anywhere from $8-15 (Purchase here).  
*Super easy to remove.
*Has own mirror on reverse side of container.
*Excellent for sensitive eyes. 
*Gluten-free. 
*Fragrance-free.

Cons:
*Takes a little longer to dry than other mascaras
*Not very waterproof, don't cry when wearing :)

Overall, I love this mascara.  My favorite part is how easy it comes off at the end of the day.  You can wash it away easily or use any number of makeup remover wipes including these awesome ones by Physicians Formula Organic Wear to easily wipe it away. 

Old Settlers, Austin, and The Loving Hut

Stacy, Brendan, Me, and William. 

So we have returned from our fun trip to Austin.  We had an amazing time at the festival even though the Avett Brothers had to cancel at the last minute.  The camping areas at the festival were a little rocky, but beautiful all the same.  We did our best to be environmentally conscious while we were there.  The festival had recycling set up, and most of the vendors were using biodegradable plastic cups, so that was great.  As for us, we finally used those Biodegradable/Compostable garbage bags we had been saving.  We also brought our own reusable water bottles to cut down on our trash.

While in Austin we were excited knowing that there are several all Vegan places to eat.  
We really wanted to visit Iggi's Texatarian and The Vegan Yacht, 
Andrea and Me in Austin. We are facing Iggi's in disappointment at it not being open. 

The Vegan Yacht

both of which we had read and heard good things about.  Unfortunately, due to our limited amount of time actually spent in the city we could not catch them during their hours of operation.  Instead we ended up checking out Casa de Luz.  
Entrance to Casa De Luz

They feature an all Vegan, organic, macrobiotic menu.  Our meal included a drink, soup, salad, and entree.  It was a little pricey at $11 per person, but well worth it.

On our way to Austin,  we passed through Houston, TX and were very excited to finally have a chance to check out the Loving Hut .

Me at the Loving Hut. 

For those of you not familiar, the Loving Hut is a 100% Vegan chain restaurant.  I can not tell you how exciting it was to not have to pick apart the menu to find which items I can eat.

EVERYTHING on this menu is Vegan, down to the dessert menu which includes cheesecake.
Cheesecake

Fried Wonton Appetizer


We liked it so much we actually stopped there a second time on the way back home :)



Vegans in Austin

I am feeling like my good old self again since the kidney stone ordeal.  I still don't exactly know the cause of it, but I am glad it is over for now.

Today we are leaving for the weekend to go to Old Settler's Music Festival in Austin, TX.  We are going to celebrate William along with our friends Brendan and Stacy, who all just successfully defended their MFA Thesis'. We will all be graduating in May and can not wait to be finished.  Spring Break is still a week and a half away for not for McNeese State University, but we are starting it off early.   We are hoping to find some awesome vegan eats while we are in Austin to bring back and share with you along with some fun festival pictures.

http://oldsettlersmusicfest.org/

Just found this really cool link to VegAustin.com

Kidney Stones

I apologize for the current lack of postings. I spent the last week in agony with my first kidney stone.  If you have never had one then consider yourself blessed.  They are the most painful thing I have experienced.  I have since passed the stone and am awaiting the results of where it came from.  I consider myself to be a rather healthy individual and I am very curious what I am doing/eating/drinking that could have brought this on.  I suppose in the end it could be a hereditary thing.  My mother does not get them that I am aware of, but my Aunt does.  Since my father died so young, I do not know if that is something that could have run in his family.  Oh well,  when the results come back I will know and make adjustments accordingly.  Until then, I will try to get some posts up really soon.
:) Missy

Pecan Raisin Biscotti


I wanted to make something that could be breakfast on the go and also something that could satisfy a late night sugar craving.  The answer to this dilemma.....Biscotti.  It is a dessert or a breakfast food.



Pecan Raisin Biscotti
Makes 2 dozen


Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Whole Pecans, ground in a food processor
1/2 Cup Raisins
1/2 Cup Earth Balance Butter (8tbsp)
2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed/ 6 Tbsp Water
1 Cup Raw Sugar
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
3 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*Whisk together Flax and Water and set aside. The consistency will get sticky after it sits.

*Place Pecans in a food processor and grind until in small pieces.

*Remove Pecans and mix in a large bowl with raisins.

*Measure butter into food processor and beat until light and fluffy.

*Into food processor, add flax mixture, sugar, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

*Next add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined.

*Empty dough into large bowl with pecans and raisins and combine by hand or with a wooden spoon. Make sure well mixed.

*Divide the dough in half and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into two logs about 12" long and 1-2" wide.

*Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 35 minutes. (or until slightly brown on bottom)

*Remove from heat and allow to cook for 5-10 minutes.

*Slice each log diagonally into 1 inch pieces. (Should be about a dozen per long depending on cut).

*Place pieces back on cookie sheet and bake 5 minutes.

*Flip pieces over and bake another 5 minutes.

*Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before enjoying.

*Be sure to store in a airtight container. :)

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