Family and a Present!

Well I had a busy "fall break!" On Saturday I went to work like usual, then my sister and I came back here to West Chester to watch Ben perform with the marching band at the football game. After the game the three of us drove down to DC to visit my Grandma. We got there pretty late so we just went to bed, and Sunday we got up and went to Asylum for the vegan brunch! It was pretty cool, the atmosphere was.. interesting. It was pretty much a twenty-something crowd with lots of tattoos and dark clothing.. so the three of us there with our Grandma seemed a little out of place. But the food was so cool!

The other side of the menu had a regular brunch, but my family played along and all ordered vegan things! Here's what I got, the vegan breakfast wrap. It has tofu scramble, cheese black beans and home fries wrapped up inside. Yum.
Grandma got the huevos rancheros, she said it was really spicy, but good! We all cleaned our plates haha.

Christine got the chili cheese tofu scramble.. she thought the texture of the tofu was a little off, but it tasted good. I think she was just expecting eggs.

Ben got the breakfast sandwich. It has soysage and tofu scramble on it. He said it was good but he thinks that the faux meats are always over compensated. Like before he said smart dogs were TOO hot doggy.. if that makes any sense. Like the attempt at getting the true flavor was overpowering.

After that we went to the Renwick gallery to check out the quilt exhibit.. we're big quilters. :-D I got inspired.. I want to start something!
And we had to leave that night because Christine didn't have fall break and had to get back to school on Monday. Here's the whole gang! Grandma, Ben, Christine and me. We're just missing our other brother, Nick.. he's Christine's twin. But he couldn't make it. Yar.

When I got back I had a surprise! Bazu sent me this vegan chocolate bar.. she must know about my coffee addiction... I feel so badly though! This was a thankyou for donating when she did the Walk for Farm Animals.. but I'm a college kid.. I only gave a measley ten dollars! Bazu it probably cost you that much to send this.. you shouldn't have!All in all it's been a grand week!

Blog Action Day

Well.. busy as I am, I had to get on here for blog action day! I'm not sure what to write about the environment, so I'll just post a few links. I found a page that I liked today about water conservation. 16 ways to conserve water and save money. And try taking the "How Green Are You?" quiz! Also, while I was in DC yesterday (I'll post about that later) I saw a green store called Hoopla, that hadn't opened yet (October 19th it will.)

Wednesday Dinner

Firstly, Monday, October 15th is blog action day! Blogger's everywhere will unite to bring one important topic to everybody's mind. This year it is:: the environment! So head over to the website and check it out.

Secondly.. tonight for dinner we had pan-fried tofu that I had marinated overnight, roasted veggies, and couscous. This meal was omni boyfriend and roommate approved! Pat (Michelle's boyfriend) couldn't make it for dinner tonight but I bet even he would have liked it.. and he's a real meat man.

This weekend I'm going with my sister and my little bro to visit our Grandma. She lives right outside of DC, so on Sunday morning we're going to have brunch at Asylum! I'm pretty excited, Chris and I didn't get a chance to go there on our vacation over the summer. You guys should check out their brunch menu and give me suggestions! Huevos rancheros?

Lots of Stuff!

Whew.. I just spent a lot of time uploading these pictures. So on Friday I tried to make a loaf of bread! But it didn't rise in the oven :-( I don't know why. It tastes OK though! I swear.

Then on Saturday night I went home for dinner with the family. I took my chicken-style seitan and my step dad grilled it right along next to the real chicken.

We had potatoes and corn on the cob too!

On Sunday Michelle and I went to the IKEA in South Philly. We got bubble tea on South Street. I'm not sure about the vegan integrity of bubble tea.. but it was a fun experience. Mine was pineapple flavored.

Here's how we've been fixing up the place lately!
IKEA clock in the kitchen! IKEA end table and lamp in the living room (I lost the lamp shade somewhere between the store and my apartment...) IKEA sand and pebbles with fake autumn-colored flowers!

And my favorite.. the IKEA hangy bar with hooks and that little bowl! And this set of mirrors.. we're going to rearrange it I think.

Here's a little seasonal decorating I did. Two little straw people and some cobwebs! (We clean here, I swear!)

Tonight for dinner I made Boca Chik'n parmesan at Chris' request! I made enough for Michelle and Pat too, it was delicious!

OK I'm wiped out.

Dinners, Shindig

So on Wednesday I made some chicken-style seitan from this recipe. I didn't take a picture after it baked in the marinade, but this is before. I'm going to use it in something later this week.

For dinner on Wednesday I made baked tempeh that I had poached and then marinated. There are also garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Chris didn't like the tempeh so much. Oh yeah and I tried to make a gravy out of the lefotver marinade. It worked out pretty well!
Then I made tiramisu for my friend's birthday. No, it's not vegan. She loves tiramisu.. I wanted it to be right! I think it turned out pretty good looking! I've never made tiramisu before, but everybody seemed to like it OK.The party was good :-D