Choco-Popcorn Jar

My friend's birthday is coming up soon, so I wanted to make her something yummy and cute. I found this recipe awhile ago on Youtuber Kumamiki's channel. It can easily be made vegan by using vegan chocolate chips, vegan popcorn, etc. I didn't have any colorful vegan sprinkles to use this time, but I think the jar still turned out pretty cute. Kumamiki made this jar for Valentine's Day but I think it makes a nice gift for any occasion. ^^

Ingredients:
-vegan chocolate chips (I used about 1/4 of a bag)
-popcorn
-pretzels
-vegan sprinkles (optional)

Other Supplies:
-mason jar
-decorating supplies (ribbon, cute paper, whatever you'd like, etc.)
-glue, scissors, etc.

Directions:
1.)Spread an even layer of popcorn over the surface of a baking pan.

2.)Put chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for about 40 seconds. Take out of microwave and stir. Microwave again for 40 seconds to a minute (or until chips are totally melted). Stir again.

3.) With a spoon or other utensil, drizzle melted chocolate over the popcorn. Drop sprinkles over the popcorn (if desired). Let popcorn sit until chocolate has hardened, separate the popcorn pieces, and set them aside.

4.) (At this point, repeat step 2 if melted chocolate has hardened or if you have run out) Dip the pretzels halfway in the chocolate and place them on the baking pan, taking care that there is space between each pretzel. Drop sprinkles over the pretzels (if desired). Let pretzels sit until chocolate has hardened, remove the pretzels from the baking pan, and set aside.

5.) Wash your mason jar and then decorate it however you'd like. I used ribbon, paper, and decorative flowers to create a pink birthday theme for mine.

6.) Fill the mason jar with chocolate popcorn and pretzels and close the lid. Done!

***Here's the video that inspired me to make this treat jar:

Vegan Cafe Review: Fruits & Roots

The other day my mother and I took a short road trip to Stuart, a small town in south Florida. We stayed there for the night, but before heading out the next day we decided to grab lunch at a charming cafe called Fruits & Roots.

The cafe is a homey place with beautiful wooden furniture. The staff were all very sweet and kind. Everything on the menu was vegan (yay!) and looked so good. They had things like sandwiches, smoothie bowls, juices, salads, and so on. They also had yummy appetizers, like summer rolls. Here's what I ordered:

Summer rolls, packed with lots of yummy vegetables.

Vegan cheeseburger (my personal favorite). The burger patty was made with beans and the bread was very fluffy. The cheese was also delicious. It was heaven! 

Pumpkin smoothie bowl. It was layered with bananas, granola, raisins, and apple slices. It was pretty big, so my mother and I shared it. It was one of the cafe's fall specials. 

So if you're ever driving through south Florida and are in the mood for some yummy vegan food, I totally recommend stopping off in Stuart and going to Fruits & Roots!

Panda Onigiri!

Made some onigiri the day before yesterday! I used the Baby Panda Onigiri Kit (which can be found on Tokyo Otaku Mode). All you need is sticky rice and nori (seaweed sheets). You can also put fillings inside them if you'd like (I used avocado). Super fun!

Chicken-Friendly Tofu Nuggets

A very yummy alternative to chicken nuggets. （・θ・）  This recipe is from PETA.

Ingredients:
-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-6 tablespoons ice water
-1/2 cup lightly toasted bread crumbs
-1 teaspoon salt
-dash of cayenne pepper
-vegetable oil
-1 lb. firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1 inch cubes

Directions:
1.) In a small bowl, whisk the flour and water together to make a smooth batter.
2.) In a separate dish, toss the bread crumbs with the salt and cayenne pepper.
3.) Heat 1 inch of oil in a heavy skillet.
4.) Dip each tofu cube in the batter to coat, then roll the cubes in the bread crumb mixture.
5.) Drop the cubes into the hot oil, and cook for 2 minutes on each side until the whole cube is golden-brown.
6.) Drain the cubes on paper towels, and serve immediately.

~Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Great with a glass of almond milk and a good book! ^-^

Ingredients:
- 2 cups unbleached flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- cinnamon, to taste (optional)
- handful vegan chocolate chips
- 1 cup raw sugar (or white sugar)
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup water

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet with cooking oil or cooking spray.
2.) In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon.
3.) Stir in the oil, vanilla, and water. Mix well.
4.) Mix in the chocolate chips.
5.) Roll spoonfuls of cookie dough into balls and place on the lightly-greased cookie sheet. Put in the oven for 15 minutes.
6.) Remove from oven and let cool. Then enjoy!

Tabbouleh

A simple and very delicious Middle Eastern dish from my family. It can be eaten as a side or as the main course. Once you start eating it, it can be hard to stop. I grew up on this stuff, so I can attest to its deliciousness! (ˆ ڡ ˆ)

Ingredients:
- 1 cup bulgur wheat (or couscous)
- 1 cucumber, cut in small dices
- 2 tomatoes, cut in small pieces
- 2 medium-sized onions, minced (optional)
- 10-12 sprigs of parsley, minced
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons mint leaves, pulverized (optional)

Directions:
1.) Rinse bulgur wheat two or three times with water.
2.) Soak bulgur wheat in a bowl of water for 1 hour (or until the bulgur wheat is soft enough to eat). If the bulgur wheat has absorbed all of the water before the hour is up, just add some more water to it.
3.) Drain any excess water from the bulgur wheat.
4.) Mix the vegetables into the bulgur wheat.
5.) Mix in the olive oil, lemon juice, and spices.
6.) Garnish with mint (optional)
7.) Enjoy!

~Makes 6-8 servings