Vegan "Chunky Monkey" Nice Cream

Things that are awesome:
Bananas
Peanut butter
Chocolate
Ice cream
Nuts...ha ha...I said nuts

Something that's even more awesomer:  Combining them.

Ingredients

• Frozen bananas (I slice them into small pieces before freezing them to make it easier to blend)
• Unsweetened vanilla almond milk (sub canned coconut milk for a creamier flavor)
• Natural peanut butter
• Chocolate chips (semi-sweet vegan choc chips available at Trader Joe's and Costco)
• Almond or Walnut chunks
• *Optional* 100% Maple syrup (if you want it sweeter)

I don't really measure things, I just put in the amount I want.
Just make sure you don't put too much of whatever liquid you choose because the ice cream will be runny.
But the right amount will make it like soft serve!

The great thing about making your own ice cream is that you can modify the ingredients to your liking.
You can add or subtract anything you want!

Directions

• Start by adding the frozen bananas, peanut butter, milk alternative, (and maple syrup if you choose) to a high-speed blender.
• Once it's the consistency you like, pour it into a bowl. You'll probably need a spatula or spoon because it'll be thick.
• Add Chocolate chips and almonds/walnuts.
• Then Eat!!!

Super easy, relatively healthy, and delicious!

A More FILLING B-fast Smoothay

This is a spin on the Healthy Chocolate Smoothie recipe I posted previously.
I found that I wasn't staying full for very long, so I decided to add a few more ingredients.

Feel free to add/subtract/multiply/rearrange anything you want.

Get concontin'!

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (plus more to add if it's too thick)
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup dry oatmeal
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil (adds richness)
• 1 spoonful unsweetened cocoa
• 1 ripe banana
• A large handful of baby kale or baby spinach
• 1 cup frozen blueberries

Note: You will probably need more liquid because there are more ingredients than the last recipe. So don't be surprised if you have to add more once you get blendin'.

This makes about 32 oz. for me.

A full belly is a happy belly :)

*WARNING: This also induces full bladders.

Favorite ELF Products

What's not to love about ELF?  Cruelty-free, quality products, and it's CHEAP.
Unfortunately, not all their products are that great (that's to be expected when they charge like a dollah for most things). And even though a dollar here and there isn't much, why waste your money trying things you may not like? IT ADDS UP.

So, here are my faves.

For your fas:

Acne Fighting Foundation

So legit.  

I use this errday with a Beauty Blender to cover most of my acne scars and then I go over it with Bare Escentuals foundation.  It's the only liquid foundation that doesn't break me out and it has a bunch of awesome acne-fighting ingredients like tea tree oil.

The downside is the range of colors and the fact that it isn't completely full-coverage.  If you have oily skin like myself, it won't keep you matte, either.  But I just put powder on to fix that problem.

Mineral Blemish Powder

Now that I have discovered this, I kind of can't live without it.

I mix it in with my Bare Escentuals foundation and put it all over my face, and then if I have any blemishes I'll dab some on those spots, too.

I just don't get why you can't buy the powder by itself.  It comes with a brush EVERY time.

Cheeks:

Studio Blush

 In the words of Miley Cyrus, it's pretty cool.

It makes your cheeks a different color than they normally are.

It does it's job.

I wouldn't say it lasts ALL day, but I like it.

 Studio HD Blush

I think this lasts a bit longer than just a powder.  I put this on with a powder blush on top.

I use a small stipple brush.  So far it's the only liquid blush I've liked.

Essential Shimmering Facial Whip

THE perfect highlighter.

I love using this on the tops of my cheekbones for that glow when the lights hit you just right.

Eyes:

 Studio Cream Liner

Cream/gel liners used to be my go-to.  I'm a cat-eye girl all day, every day.

Now I just use a black eyeshadow for my liner, because it's easier for me.

This stuff works well. I use it when I want something more dramatic.

It's also great for your waterline. It lasts.

My only concern is that it tends to dry up kinda fast.

Essential Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil

I love this!

I use it when I'm lazy and just want to smudge some color at the base of my lashes.

Essential Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara 

I have to use this or my brows are all over the place.

I don't use the mascara part, but when the brow side runs out I just switch the brush and use the mascara gel.  It's the same thang.

Studio Eyebrow Kit

I prefer powder WAY more than pencils for my brows.

I don't ever use the wax, but the powder is good.

Lips:

Studio Matte Lip Color

This is a recent discovery of mine and I love it so much.

I have only used Rich Red and Tea Rose.  I love both colors.

They stay on pretty well and they're matte, which is awesome.

I don't even know what to say.  I just can't get enough.

Mineral Lip Gloss 

I'm not really a gloss person, but I do like this gloss.

First of all, I like that it has natural ingredients.  But it also gives you a nice pearly shine without being too sticky. 

Happy makeup-ing!

Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe (Vegan)

I have been making this smoothie almost every single morning for the last 3 years. I never tire of it!
It tastes JUST like a chocolate shake, but it's made with all healthy thangs.

Let's get our chocolate on.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)

1 banana

1-2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1-2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed (optional)

1-2 handfuls of baby spinach

1 cup frozen blueberries


Directions:

I find that if you put the ingredients in the blender in the exact order as above, it comes out better.
Note: Also, make sure you are using bananas that have at least some brown spots on it.  It is both better for digestion and makes the smoothie sweeter.

Then, just blendy-blend-blend until smooth!
I have a high-speed blender, but I think you can do this with a regular blender, too.

It should come out as a dark purple color and taste just like chocolate.
Now you can tell everyone you had chocolate for breakfast and not feel guilty about it.
In this case, I even encourage bragging.

Happy breakfasting! 

DIY Vegan Holiday Gift Basket: Trader Joe's Edition

Can you tell I like Trader Joe's?

Every year, TJ's comes out with a bunch of mouth-watering holiday-themed treats.
However, many of those things are not vegan, which is both sad and rude.
But fear not!  There are still some delicious items in which we can partake.

If you wanna make a cute little vegan holiday gift basket, I have taken the guess-work out of what's vegan and what's not.

Ingredients:

 Oh, Candy Cane tea!  You make the holidays so much more enjoyable!

This stuff is great.  It's very minty with a delicious hint of vanilla, without the sweetness of course.

 

If you want a little caffeine, this tea is also yummy.

I actually drink this all year round.  I STOCK UP.

It's vegan, yo!  You can make hot chocolate or a thick chocolate beverage to sip on out of this, hence the name "sipping chocolate."

The cashier also told me he makes bomb milkshakes out of this, too.

Just add TJ's soy vanilla ice cream!

 

This is one big candy bar.

I haven't actually tried this, but another cashier told me it was really good.

Plus, the wrapper is pretty.

This special holiday-edition candy has dark chocolate, almonds, cranberries, and ginger.

 These are too addicting.  

If you like oreos, candy canes, or the mint/chocolate combo, don't even hesitate.

Just buy them already.

 

Ok, so when I first heard of  cookie butter, I was like OH MAN I NEED SOME OF THAT.

So, I went to 4 different TJ's trying to find it, like a mad woman.

But low and behold, it was sold out EVERYWHERE.

One employee told me that they only got 12 in a day and that there was a 2 jar limit per person.

This only fed my desire to get my hands on this stuff.

A couple months later, it appeared out of nowhere like magic!

I finally got it home and tried it...but I was not that impressed.

It was more gingery than I expected.

BUT this stuff, swirled with some cocoa is addicting!

It's better than Nutella!  I tried this on some pretzel thins and I couldn't stop stuffing my face with it.

So, proceed with caution.

If the person you're giving this gift to likes them some figs, you should get this.

It's very...figgy.  Which means it's delicious!

You can put it on toast or celery or basically anything you want to add a fig taste to...obviously.

And of course, to top it all off, you gotta add some Charles Shaw red.

They have a few options like Merlot and Carbanet Sauvignon, as well as others.

And you can't beat the price at $2.49 a pop! (ha ha, "pop!" get it?)

Just throw all these babies in a basket, slap on a bow, and BAM! 

You got yourself a super sexy, super easy, and pretty cheap vegan gift!

Happy holiday eating!

Foodie Friday: Trader Joe's Edition (vegan)

We like to eat.  It's one of our favorite things to do.  Also, we have to eat or we will die.

Trader Joe's is definitely a magical place for a vegan.
There are so many options available that we 0.5-percenters don't normally have at regular grocery stores. So--needless to say--grocery shopping has become exciting for me.

I have compiled a few of my favorite vegan items from Trader Joe's for ya'll; complete with (low-quality) pictures!!  (In my defense, I was uber paranoid that I would be kicked out of the store for taking pictures of the merch, so I was tryin' to be swift like a ninja.  I broke the law for you.  That's kind of romantic.)

DISCLAIMER: Just 'cause it's vegan, don't mean it's healthy! Vegans can still eat (most) sugar and bread products.  I try to eat the healthy stuff, but this list includes things that aren't so healthy.

Let's start with...

Fall Treats 

('cause they won't be here for long)

Unfortunately, there aren't too many vegan fall options.  A lot of the pumpkin-flavored things have milk or eggs in them.  
BUT this first item makes up for all that.  It is so delicious!  It's like autumn in your mouth.

Personally, I like to warm up a cup of this apple-cinnamon-spice flavored liquid goodness in the microwave.  It's perfect for that crisp fall morning.

 I love all things festive, so...you got me, Trader Joe's.  These are basically cute oreos.
They're vegan and look like pumpkins. Sign me up!

 **Be aware that this stuff has honey in it.

Snacky-Snacks

Here are just two things out of the plethora of vegan snacks that TJ's offers.

These babies are nacho cheese flavored. But alas!  They contain no dairy!

If you like saltiness and all things low-calorie, these are for you.

Food-Food 

 

I use this to make the most AMAZING pad thai.  

These almost taste like real chicken.  It kind of scares me.
 

CHEESELESS enchiladas.  'Nuff said. 

Eggrolls without the egg!  They have a really good flavor--it's kind of sweet on the inside.
One con: they get kind of soggy on the bottom.
They are good alone, but you can also pair them with...

It's very sweet, sorta spicy, and garlicy.

These are real good with hummus in a wrap.

Great on the grill.  I like to bring these to baseball games.
Makes me feel all American-like.

SO GOOD.

This pad thai is really yummy, but it basically only serves one person.

These are SO flavorful!  I eat them just by themselves with no bun or nothin'.

If you miss orange chicken, just buy these already.

Not the healthiest option, but these are super easy to take to work.
There are three flavors (peanut satay, kung pao, and pad thai), but I like this one the best.

This pizza has no cheese!  It does taste good, but the middle always stays cold/soggy for some reason.
**HOWEVER, this contains honey.

I could eat a whole bag of this for dinner, but you probably shouldn't do that.  
It has squash, zucchini, and sweet potato.  It also has a little kick to it.

Condiments

I like me some Vegannaise.  But that ish is expensive!  
I saw this by chance and upon reading the ingredients, I discovered that it is vegan!  

Yes, you can have cream cheese.  You can make cream cheese frostings, too.  
Let's take a moment to rejoice.  
Plus, the label makes me laugh...to myself...in a room full of strangers.

Every vegan has to have Earth Balance butter replacement. 

Sweet Thangs
  

 PROCEED WITH CAUTION.  These are highly addictive.

Great for making banana chocolate chip muffins!

Sweet, salty, and crunchy.

It's a giant candy bar. With almonds.

Cookie butter is the devil.  The sweet, sweet devil.  I like to put it on toast.
 

It just sounds super classy.  And hey, I get to drink hot chocolate!

I use this to make bomb milkshakes.
I like to blend it with espresso, peanut butter, bananas, almond milk, homemade caramel, you name it.
(Also available in cherry chocolate chip)

Heaven!  I'm not usually a fan of strawberry flavored things, but this ice cream is a winnah!
(Also available in chocolate)

My all. time. favorite. things to eat in the world, ever.  In terms of cookies, anyway.
Vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies...without a weird texture or aftertaste!
PRAISE [insert deity of choice]!!!

Dranks

A lot of beers and wines are not vegan.  There are probably a lot at TJ's that are vegan, but these are the ones I personally like.  Check out Barnivore to see if your favorite alchy drinks are vegan-friendly.

Now, I don't really like beer.  But I will drink New Castle.
This is a CHEAP DUPE for New Castle!!!
It's got that very familiar taste.

And the good old (formerly-known-as) Two Buck Chuck.
They raised the price by .49 and I wasn't too happy about that.
But hey, it's still a steal.
**HOWEVER, only the RED one is vegan.  The white one and the white zinfandel ones are not!

That was a lot to take in.  I'm proud of you for truckin' through it.  I wish I could've shared everything that I love with you.  But wait!  I can!

Here is a list of all the vegan products available at a Trader Joe's near you!  

Happy cruelty-free snacking! 

do good. be good. feel good.