Posts Tagged ‘vermont’

Anniversary Wrap-up and a New Recipe

June 2nd 2010 Posted at Recipes, Uncategorized, vermont
4 Comments

The Hubz and I just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary this past Monday May 31st and although we went away for the weekend to Portland ME we decided we should still do something special since we both had our anniversary off due to the Monday holiday. After spending the morning working on packing up our belongings the Hubz suggested that we pack a picnic, go for a drive and find somewhere to enjoy our picnic lunch. So I started on lunch while he finished picking up around the house and we headed out for a drive.

We headed towards Adamant VT because the Hubz has had this odd obsession with it here are a few facts about this village (via wikipedia):

There is no true boundary to define the village, and as such there is great debate as to what constitutes residence. This is, however, purely theoretical as there is no legal, governmental or commercial status associated with residence.
The village was originally known as Sodom from its inception in the mid-1800s as a granite quarry-town until 1905 when residents petitioned the state legislature for a name change.
The village center is the Adamant Co-op, a general store and post office located at the junction of Haggett, Quarry, Center and Sodom Pond Roads. Founded in 1935, it is the state’s oldest co-operative.

The thing that interested the Hubz so much was the co-operative so we took a drive through back roads to this small, very pretty village and visited the co-op. Adamant’s mascot is the black fly so it is fitting that there was a huge sculpture of a black fly outside of the co-op/general store/post office.

After our stop in Adamant we headed down a back road to ….well we had no idea where…but we finally met up with a main road and stopped in Morrisville where we enjoyed our picnic lunch.

For our picnic lunch we enjoyed falafel chips with hummus, orzo salad and raw kale salad.

Q: What is your favorite dish to bring on a picnic?

On The Rise and an Earthlust Giveaway

April 15th 2010 Posted at giveaway, restaurants, resturant, review, vermont
47 Comments

Hubby was running late at work tonight and since we were starving we decided to go to On The Rise in Richmond VT (finally). We have wanted to try it forever but have never seemed to be able to make it there. The menu is so vegan friendly there is even a vegan pizza! We ordered a small vegan pizza, a deluxe salad with marinated tofu, and a chocolate macaroon. The food was delicious, fresh and amazing.

Now onto the giveaway: Earthlust sent me one of their stainless steel water bottles and guess what the sent me an extra one just for one of you lucky readers. EarthLust bottles are hand made from high quality #304 (18/8) food grade stainless steel, which is naturally safe unlined. They use non-toxic paints and BPA-free safe polypropylene #5 caps. I received one of the 13oz bottles and it is the perfect size to take every where with me. I am thinking about investing in a 1L bottle for trips and such but the smaller bottle is great for everyday use. I also love that they are unlined, unlike Sigg bottles which have a weird lining and make your water taste funny. Additionally, their bottles have some really great designs. So now it’s your chance to win this bottle (see below) isn’t it so cute?

How to Enter: Please leave individual comments for each entry. Entries will be accepted until April 17th at 8am.

Visit the Earthlust website and tell which bottle is your favorite. (Leave me a comment)
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Maple Sugar & Cheater Indian Food

March 27th 2010 Posted at Uncategorized, vermont
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Hubby and I started off our morning with some cheater Indian food from Tandoor Chef. I usually make oatmeal but I wasn’t feeling it since I didn’t have any bananas and we were in a time crunch as my ‘rents and G-Ma were on their way to pick us up to go visit a few sugar houses. So thanks to Tandoor Chef who generously sent me a few samples to try we had pocket sandwiches which were yummy and had a really nice spice to them.

One feature I love about this product is how I can say everything that is on the package and how Tandoor Chef uses all natural ingredients so you can eat yummy food with out the gross additives.

Here is our yummy breakfast

The ‘rents and G-Ma finally showed up and we headed out to Morse Farms to see some sugaring and taste their maple syrup. Unfortunately they hadn’t really started cooking the syrup when we arrived so we took a few fun pictures and headed into the store to taste the various syrups. Before we left we went back to the sugar house to see the sap boiling.

Neil and his ol'buddy

Me and my G-Ma - LOVE HER!

After visiting Morse Farms we decided to stop for some lunch at Julio’s Cantina in Montpelier for summer yummy eats. I got the veggie tacos which were filled with grilled mushrooms, onions, peppers, zucchini and summer squash and hubby got the veggie burger with his favorite fiesta fries. After lunch we headed to Plainfield to visit another sugar house- Braggs. This is my favorite of the two because it is smaller and I love their sugaring house. Neil and I went to get our yearly maple steam facials (haha) – it smells crazy good in the sugaring house and the steam is fun to bask in.

the 'rents- aren't they so cute? You can see the steam from the boiling sap in the back

I love mustard and I picked up a jar of this yummy Mustard today at Braggs

Once we got home Neil and I headed out to AT&T to pick up a cover for my work iPhone (per request of my boss) and I got a really fun dark pink one. Then I cam home and had a great elliptical sesh and then a short power yoga sesh from yogadownload.com. I had worked up a mini appetite after my workout so Neil and I shared a Jazz Apple sprinkled with a little cinnamon. I decided that this was a perfect opportunity to try out my Biokleen Produce Wash which is great not only for washing produce but for cleaning your cutting boards. I will be hosting a giveaway for this product soon! I really loved it and to my surprise did not leave any residue on the apple.

Tonight we decided it was time to relax on the couch with a little bit of TLC’s Hoarding which my nice daddy recorded for us since we don’t have cable. That show is crazy I couldn’t imagine living like that! We sipped on some new spring beer that I found at the Co-op Anchor Steam Brewing’s Bock Beer. This beer was so tasty I think a new favorite. We also decided to make dinner easy and had some more Tandoor Chef this time Pakora’s and Dal Rajastani. They both were tasty however the pakoras were a bit dry for us. Overall yummy though!

Question: What did you do this weekened? Oh and what is your favorite cheater meal?

First Days and Sugar Houses

March 27th 2010 Posted at vermont
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Yesterday was my first day of work and it was great! I was super nervous at first and a bit overwhelmed but by the end of the day I was feeling comfortable with the position and I am excited to go back to work next week. My second day I have to travel for a meeting which is fun so we will see how that goes but so far I am loving it (haha okay it’s been one day). Also did I mention that I get to have an iphone for work! Hello colour me pumped!

After work hubby and I decided to stop and get a beer to celebrate my successful first day of work. Since it was dinner time we decided to go out (again) for dinner. I don’t know what is up with us we never go out to eat this much, usually only once every 10 or so days but this week we have been bad about it- I blame the awkward days, poor planning and no real grocery shopping. However this week will be filled with lots of home cooked meals as I went to the market yesterday and picked up lots of yummy produce. Anyways we stopped at The Alchemist but it was packed and there was a 45 minute wait for a table so we left and walked next door to The Reservoir where we had some yummy beers, a huge plate of hummus, salad and grilled bread and a housemade tofu/bean burger YUM!

I was pretty tired out after my first day back in the working world so we spent the rest of the night home hanging out on the couch watching a little L&O. Since we ate dinner so early we were hungry later on in the evening and decided to munch on some Veggie Medley Straws that I was sent to sample from The Mediterranean Snack Food Co. and they were super yummy! I also had another Inko’s White Tea this time Original.

Now I need to get myself in the kitchen and make breakfast and do some dishes before G-Ma and the ‘rents get here so we can go and see all the open sugar houses. Each year on this weekend the Vermont sugar houses are open for the public to come and visit and try their maple syrup and have sugar on snow with a pickle (to cut the sweetness) and a cider donut. It’s a been a tradition with my family to go and visit the sugar houses however since I haven’t been home for many Springs we haven’t all been out together. Neil and I went last year to the sugar house near our house but it was pouring and cold booo!

Last year wet and cold at Morse Farms

Hubby With his New Friend at Morse Farms 2009

Is there a family tradition that you do each Spring?

Celebration Dinner

March 25th 2010 Posted at Uncategorized
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Sorry bloggies I haven’t posted much in the last few days but things over here are pretty crazy with starting a new job. Yesterday I met up with a friend from my old job for lunch at Kismet and I gave you all a chance to pick the dish. Well there wasn’t a majority on any dish so I decided to go with the steamed veggie and grains bowl with the miso ginger sauce and it was amazing! I can’t wait to bring Neil for lunch so he can try it too.

This week has been pretty crazy and we seem to have no food in the house so we have been bad and have been eating out a lot. Last night we decided to go out for a celebration dinner (for my new job) at Positive Pi and both got huge salads for dinner. Neil’s salad was mixed greens with broccoli, tomatoes, walnuts, marinated tofu and red onions with a lemon tahini dressing. I got the Mediterranean salad with no feta and added some marinated tofu to mine. It came with lots of kalamata olives and pepperoncini with a lemon oregano dressing- SO GOOD! I also got a glass of proseco – well actually a mini bottle of it which was so fun.

Neil's Giant Salad

My Giant Salad

Today I’ve been working on getting the bedroom picked up, doing laundry and cleaning out my closet. I’m at the point where I have some spring/summer clothes that are in the “loose 5-10lbs and they’ll fit pile” so I have removed them all from my closet and boxed them up and will try them on again in 2 months or so – hopefully they will fit by then. I have felt like there is a ton of clutter in my closet right now so I only want to have clothes that I will wear right now and that fit in it. I took out winter sweaters and pants, as well as dresses that are too fancy for everyday wear and have boxed them up so when we move in June there will be less work. I also removed all of the clothes that I’ve been holding on to for years and don’t wear anymore and will be bringing them to consignment and whatever they don’t take donate to Good Will. However now I am looking at a very empty closet which is depressing. I think I need to go shopping. Okay enough rambling about my closet.

Good news on the giveaway front I am putting together a box of goodies for a big Spring giveaway. I think I am going to call it the “Spring into Veganism Giveaway” and it will have lots of little treats. So keep your eyes peeled for this giveaway!

You Pick the Dish: Kismet Kitchen

March 24th 2010 Posted at restaurants, resturant, vermont
4 Comments

Today I am meeting up with a friend from my old job for lunch at Kismet Kitchen, a great little spot that prides itself on using local, organic ingredients. I have been here a few times before and tend to always get the same thing. Today I am giving you a chance to decide which dish I should try today. So take a look below and let me know by 11:40am today what you think.

Our Hike/Walk Loop & Dining Adventures

March 22nd 2010 Posted at restaurants, resturant, vermont
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Yesterday morning my hubby and I got up relatively early and headed out to make our 3+ mile loop up through Hubbard Park prior to having breakfast challenge #3. It was freezing out yesterday morning especially after our warm spell so we bundled up and got on our way. We have been loving this loop because we start up this huge hill that basically goes straight up and then we walk the trails at the top of the hill through parts of Hubbard Park and then loop back down the otherside and sometimes add additional streets depending on how much time we have. I attempted to document our hike/walk (and by hike I mean it was tougher than a normal walk) however I am not sure that my pictures do it justice; Neil suggested that I get the video camera out and walk the loop with it and post a video.

View from Half Way to the Top

At the top of the hill we always share a coconut water and then make our way through the wooded paths at Hubbard Park and down the otherside. When we arrived home we were hungry and ready to make our Breakfast Challenge #3 which was oatmeal. Now as most of you know this is my go to food so I was really excited about it. In our oatmeal went:

Serves 2: 1 cup multigrain oatmeal, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 3/4 cup water, 1T flax meal, 1T chia seeds and on top of each: 1 packet of stevia, 1/2 sliced banana and 1/2T sunbutter

Oh! and a big dash of cinnamon while it is cooking!

We then headed out to spend the day with the ‘rents and G-Ma as well as have lunch. We headed out on a ride on the back roads of Vermont (a favorite past time of my parents) in hopes of having lunch at Bailey and Burke’s in East Burke. When we finally arrived to East Burke we came to find that restaurant was closed. Across the street was River Garden Cafe which according to the menu had a veggie burger and black bean chili so we decided since at this point it was almost 1pm we would try it out. To our disappointment the veggie burger was made in house and included eggs BOO! So hubby and I decided to go with the fruit cup to share and each ordered a bowl of the chili without the cheese and sour cream. The fruit cup was okay nothing special for $5. The chili came and I was so hungry I couldn’t wait to dive in but after a few bites I decided it was just not good enough to eat and hubby felt the same way. I’m not often one to just not eat what I ordered at a restaurant especially when I’m going to have to pay for it and in this case we both were really hungry but it was just awful. As my hubby would describe it “it taste like crushed tomatoes with 5 or 6 black beans” this “hearty” black bean chili was awful so we went without.

Being in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont it’s hard to find much in the way of vegan eats so we decided to hold off and we ended up stopping at the Buffalo Mountain Co-op in Hardwick and found some really interesting kombu and wakame seaweeds from Maine as well as a package of vegan teriyaki jerky that we snacked on. After returning to our car at 4:15pm we decided it was time to get on the road home and find something to eat. We had decided to stop into our old favorite The Bee’s Knees in Morrisville but when we arrived and took a look at their menu for the day we noticed that their prices had gone up- $13 for a veggie burger! We decided that it wasn’t worth spending that much so we headed on our way and decided to stop in Waterbury at Ocha the thai restaurant. Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of our food as we basically inhaled it as it came out since all we had eaten since our oatmeal at 8:30am was a small fruit bowl and package of vegan jerky. However it was delicious we got fresh rolls, vegan pad kee mao and vegan tofu and broccoli with black pepper garlic sauce.

At least on our adventures through backwoods VT we got to stop into this ridiculously entertaining trading post which also serves as the:

JUST KIDDING!

Question: Have you ever not liked your meal so much that you just didn’t eat it while out at a restaurant? Did the restaurant still make you pay for it? That’s the one thing that bothered me – I know that we ordered it and you take the chance of not liking something but we had like 4-5 bites of our food and then told the waitress we didn’t like it and to take it away. She still had us pay for it and the only thing she said was “oh well I guess it’s not your cup of tea.”

Swings and Farmers Market Finds

March 20th 2010 Posted at Uncategorized
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Neil and I were woken up this morning by the howling of our cat outside our door (don’t worry she was fine she just wanted us to wake up and give her attention). We started off with some yummy tofu scramble (which I forgot to photograph) as part of my 7 day 6 day Breakfast Challenge for a warm up class for my Health Coach program. Each morning we will eat something different and evaluate how we felt immediately after eating it and two hours later. It is supposed to be 7 days but the first day was scrambled eggs so we skipped to the second day which was to our delight tofu scramble. If you want more info you can check out hubbys blog. After breakfast we decided to get out and take advantage of the beautiful day so we headed out to the playground because even big kids like to swing.

After we goofed around on the swings we took a nice 2.35 mile walk around Montpelier and up to the Saturday Farmers Market. We have missed every other Saturday Farmers Market because it seems to only be on the Saturdays that we aren’t in town. I’ll be glad when it’s May and the market is every Saturday not every other. When we arrived we stopped at and tried the sugar on snow because well it’s getting to be sugaring time in Vermont!

Then we went inside to see what produce/items that we could pick up this week. We found Jerusalem Artichokes and Sunflower Shoots.

Since we were feeling kind of hungry we decided to pick up a snack of Butterfly Bakery Raspberry Almond Cookies and a cup of Lavender Rose Kombucha. This Kombucha was really tasty, some of the best I have ever had!

Now I’m off to shower, make some lunch and then I think it’s time to get back out in this glorious sun! I also need to figure out a recipe for these Jerusalem Artichokes. Do you have a favorite Jerusalem Artichoke recipe?

Also don’t forget to enter to win the Namaste Foods giveaway! They are generously giving away a bag full of gluten free goodies.

New Restaurant: Mint

March 3rd 2010 Posted at restaurants, vegan, vermont
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The hubz took me out for a spontaneous date night to the new vegetarian restaurant and tea lounge Mint in Waitsfield, VT. The small restaurant is all vegetarian and focus primarily on natural, organic whole foods and ingredients. They try to source all of their ingredients locally when possible and are 95% organic. The restaurant is quaint and has a really relaxing atmosphere. The food menu is small but has a number of really tasty sounding dishes. Although their food menu is small their tea list is extensive and is even broken down into types of teas such as dessert and evening teas. We opted for a glass of organic wine instead of tea but I’d like to try one of their teas on our next visit.

After spending awhile looking over the menu hubz and I finally decided on what we would order. I ordered the Sproutada:

Sproutada: toasted corn tortilla with brown rice, black turtle beans, chili sauce, soy mozzarella, topped with tahini dressed greens, snowpea sprouts, shredded carrots, fresh avocado and homemade salsa

and the Hubz ordered the Flavors of Mint Special:

Flavors of Mint Daily Special: roasted tempeh and asparagus over citrus braised greens and a peanut dipping sauce (their description was a little better but I forget what is actually said)

The food was delicious! Although the prices were slightly high you are paying for what you get which is not only delicious organic & local whole foods but a great experience. I also must say that although the plates looked small the food was filling and we left satisfied with our meal. We can’t wait to go back!

Also don’t forget to enter the Bodum French Press giveaway that ends March 5, 2010 at 8am.