Monday, August 2, 2010

Blog Carnival 08.02.10 - "Food for Thought: What do you eat? "

(image - c/o the coconut bliss website)

This month's Blog Carnival for EtsyMetal is:
Food for Thought:
What do you eat? What won't you eat? Do you suggest any interesting pairings? What is your favorite studio snack?

What a fun topic! And quite interesting for me. My first inclination is to say 'everything!' but that is quite far from the truth! I'm vegan, so I don't eat any animal products (no meat, no dairy, etc) Fruits and vegetables are some of my favorite things to eat so it doesn't feel like I avoid anything. and honestly, if it's vegan, there isn't much that I won't eat. I love ethnic food and am particularly fond of Thai and Indian food... and Mexican and Italian and Mediterranean and Chinese. My husband and I cook a lot, though I have to admit he does a bit more than I do :) I like to be creative and sometimes make things that he doesn't think are so great - I think he just has a more discerning palate than I do :)

Oh, actually I did just think of this weird fungi thing at an Asian vegetarian restaurant in San Francisco that was not so great and was kind of like chewing on a rubber band - so after trying it, I left the others on my plate.

What is my favorite studio snack... hmmm...That's tough. I guess it kind of depends what mood I'm in. I think my snacks run to full gambit of healthy to junky. Today I had an apple. Sometimes it's crackers (I do love a triscuit) or a bite of leftovers (the other day it was spicy basil tofu and eggplant) and sometimes it's a cookie. Or if I feel particularly stressed, hot or overwhelmed - it's a few bites of ice cream. Now I know you are thinking "But you're vegan" Yes, yes I know. I remember loving real ice cream until it started not loving me and I actually quit eating ice cream before I became a full fledged vegan. In the years since then, there has become a demand for dairy alternative ice creams. And coconut milk ice cream is one of the most amazing creations ever. I had some soy ice creams now and then when the craving would hit - but it was good, but coconut milk ice cream is in a category all of it's own. I do love coconut, so that helps, though many of the flavors don't have a particularly definitive coconut flavor. I also really like that they aren't made w/ sugar, but agave nectar instead ( do try to stay away from sugar). There are usually only a few ingredients - which is also a huge bonus (can't say the same for the soy ice creams) and so far every one I have had is incredibly yummy. And it likes me too. My particular current favorite is Luna and Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss Cherry Amaretto. It is truly amazing.

I have experimented w/ making my own and so far coconut w/ lime is a real winner. I have yet to try using guar gum to make the right consistency, though eating it right away is just fine - one day when I have all that time on my hands...

As far as recipes to possibly share... hm... I don't do recipes much - kind of like most of my jewelry, I just wing it. We do have a lot of great vegan cookbooks that we sometimes look at for ideas, but we usually just adapt them to whatever we feel like that is similar.

Any interesting pairings... hm... i love apple and peanut butter sandwiches. I think that's probably the oddest thing I make. I wasn't so much on banana and peanut butter - too much mush. But a thinly sliced apple w/ layers of peanut - yummy!

Make sure to check out the other participating EtsyMetal members (some may not have posted yet, but check back for updated links)

ninaG

vic - experimetal


wildflowerdesigns


tomi - metalriot

ann hartley

cynthia del guidice

caitlyn/discomedusa

Inbar Bareket

Lauren/Creative Dexterity

Maria/Fluxplay Jewellery

7 comments:

kerin rose said...

well, my vegan self is gonna have to get me some of that coconut bliss ice cream! I have never heard of it, so I am not sure its in the local shop....maybe will have to take a ride to Athens!

Lauren Anabela said...

Coconut ice cream is so good. I even prefer coconut creamer in my coffee and use coconut oil in baking.

If you ever want to trade vegan recipes let me know.

Ann Hartley said...

I have never heard of coconut ice cream but I'm going to have to look for it, it sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Victoria Takahashi said...

oh you guys are making me want a frozen treat! damn!
I love coconut!
I will very rarely go to "cold stone" and get 1 scoop of thier plain natural vanilla with almonds on top, this happens maybe once a year :) but this cocnut sounds divine! thanks for sharing beth!

Beth Cyr said...

you should definitely all try it :) especially if you love coconut!

kerin - we have it at our 'health food' grocery store - but also at kroger and publix - only kroger carries this brand and it just got it recently (i'd been prepared to ask them to start carrying it and then the next time i went in it was there! whoohooo!)

Inbar Bareket said...

.... You are going to love my ice-creams :-) It is based on coconut milk or cream.... I can change to make it veg for you! I make Big jar every weekend in the summer (we have summer 9 month a year...LOL).

Thomasin Durgin said...

ooooooh, I'm trying the coconut bliss, thank you. I love coconut milk.