Training Tuesdays is Coming and PB Popcorn is Here

Starting Tuesday, September 12th, 2012, Veganville will be doing it up just for you, yep you reader extraordinaire. Yesiree, Veganville has a new Tuesday feature. Before I launch into to that announcement, I've um got a question for ya. I just want to know why, I mean really, why are you sitting there vegging out, reading a food blog when you know you should be working out? How' bout some lunges while reading? Wait...on second thought before you start plieing or planking, my lawyer tells me that I need to write a disclaimer or something. Okay.


DISCLAIMER
We here at Veganville are not doctors of anything, and take no responsibility for gout, kidney stones, or sloth. Please see your doctor before starting any regimen, or joining a regime.


So starting next Tuesday we will be launching Training Tuesdays. Oh we'll still be an irreverent vegan food blog alright, but let's say you want to go raw, get off sugar, run a 10k, drop a few pounds, commit to a new exercise program or even just eat meatless two nights a week, Training Tuesdays will be the place to commit and follow up. We'll share exercises and healthy foods, coaching affirmations, and guest bloggers. You can check in with your progress or gripes in the comment section every Tuesday. We're with you. So say sianara to the naysayers, and hello to the yaysayers. After all, we could all  use a little support.

So why here, why now, and who gave you the right, GiGi? 

Back in June, my friend Noreen climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. Although I was thrilled for her feat, not so much her feet, I was a little ticked off at myself. After I read about Noreen's climb I took off on my leisurely 6 mile walk. My inner dialogue went something like this, "lalala, it's so nice out, then you are a deadbeat, why can't you climb mountains GiGi? or cross Alaska on a dog sled, GiGi? You are a has been athlete, GiGi! Boy it's nice out. Lalala" .When I got to the track portion of my walk I noticed all these old people running, and running and running. When I say old I mean old, because I am old.

So you know what I did? By God I ran with the other old people. I ran and I ran and I ran, um a half mile. On the walk home my inner dialogue changed, and I was filled with questions.Why aren't I doing more strenuous exercise, why did I stop running? I realized  I was afraid of further injury and I had let old injuries define me. Then, miraculously instead of calling myself an ex-athlete, I affirmed that I was still in pretty good shape, and have always done some form of exercise, I affirmed that I knew how to train, and racked up more things I had going for me.

My asset list:
1. Strict Vegan (9 years). Veg before that for several decades
2. Know how to train, and rest
3. In decent shape
4. Ex-competitive athlete (three sports) and pro (one sport)
5. Ex-athletic coach 12 years
6. I eat clean- no processed sugar- in a year, I consume mostly whole grains or gluten free flour
vegetables and fruits.
7. System detoxed. Have had no mind altering substances or fire water for close to 30 years

Then I listedPossible Obstacles:
1. Two herniated discs L-4 L-5
2. Two bum knees
3. Many ten hour days in the kitchen
4. Sore feet
5. Exhaustion
6. Lots of old injuries- including lost total use of both arms and and had PT for two years and operation.

Listing the obstacles, gave me awareness, alleviated fear, and helped me to stay in solution.

The thing is, I garnered esteem from completing a half mile. I knew I would continue running and make goals for myself, because if nothing else, I am not a quitter. By the end of June I was running 2.5 miles and tagging on 3 mile walk, in July 4 miles + 3 mile walk and by mid August 5.5 miles with an additional 3 mile walk tagged on.

I was careful and could not run everyday. Some days I had to ice my knees and use Castor oil packs. (Will explain next Tuesday). Other days I had to ice my back and eat lots of anti- inflammatory kale. In late August both my knees swelled up. I refused to get discouraged, and concentrated on meditative healing. I cut down on my mileage and am now back up to a 4 mile run with 3 mile walk. I have added more stretching and core ball exercises. I don't self flagellate if I miss a few days. Missed days are rarely if ever due to sloth, beating myself up is not healthy.

Let's all celebrate Training Tuesdays with PB Popcorn.

Ingredients

1 C unpopped popcorn or 16 cups popped popcorn (we use a whirly popper)
1 C agave
2 Packets Stevia
1 C natural peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Pop corn and remove any unpopped kernels. Place in a large paper bag. Meanwhile in a heavy saucepan, combine agave and Stevia. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Bring mixture to boiling, continue boiling for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Cool for a minute. Add peanut mixture to popcorn bag and shake until coated. Pour into bowl.

So who's in? Let's support each other with positive change.

Let me know what's on your asset list. What do you want to achieve?
I am so excited to hear about your goals.
Today's motto:

Congratulate don't flagellate.

Hugs,
GiGi

She is the Most Interesting...recipe and video included

Since her reputation precedes her today's blog will simply include a video and recipe.

Music provided/played by Crazy Boy.

PB and Vegan Fluff Milk Shecky with ingredients Standing Tall

2 C vegan milk of your choice
1 C Peanut Butter
1.5 C vanilla ice creme of your choice
3/4 C plus one dollop of Ricemellow to top milk shecky
1 tsp non-alcoholic vanilla
2 T agave (sweeten to taste)
2-3 ice cubes

Blend until thick. Top with dollop.

Made in Berkeley, California. Drink responsibly.

Stay tuned, contest coming soon!

PS Below in the comments is a linky to the commercial this video spoofs ;)

It's a Mad Mad Mad Matzoh World

It's spring. Vegan peeps season has come and gone. The bunny costume is in moth balls 'til your next gig. And that ugly green basket filler can't be composted. Well boo hoo hoo. Things are still looking up little ducky. After all it's still matzoh time. Matzoh is like the tofu of the Jewish World. Bland by itself but supernatural when mixed in with other flavors. Matzoh is a quick change artist. Today's post deals with all things matzoh. 

The Uncensored History of Matzoh

Once upon a time there were two Jews, probably living in Brooklyn. It was right around Easter.  Anyway these two Jews needed a snack so they went to their corner bagel shop. The corner shop was totally out of pumpernickel bagels, their favorite. Mr. Leven the owner, said, I'm out of leavening, which is very Un-Levened of me. Bahahaha, all the Jews guffawed. But here take some flour and New York water with you.They have this new cracker in Egypt called matzoh, maybe you can make it. It has no Levening. Bahahaha. The Jews guffawed again.
So the two hungry Jews went home and made something that looked a lot like cardboard.
One of the Jews chipped his tooth, but that was okay because the other Jew, (his friend) was a dentist.
This matzoh is tough.
Matzoh tough, yeah good luck with that.
Let me try.
Yeah Matzoh's tough. Good luck.
Still they thought this cardboard wasn't bad if they added some dead sea salt. Maybe tough to break, but something  that they still wanted to share with friends. They would just have to tell their friends that the matzoh was tough and good luck.
So each time the Jews gifted their friends with a box of this new matzoh, they would say, "matzoh tough, good luck". This later translated into Mazel Tov, which means good luck with the matzo.
It wasn't until like Zero A.D. that matzo became perforated, right around the same time thatJesus invented zip lock bags.

Matzoh Lasagna

Matzoh Lasagna up close and personal

Matzoh Lasagna Recipe

Approximately 1 box matzoh (any flavor) I used plain
20 oz ( I think) Hm marinara or in a pinch TJ's organic basics tomato sauce in can
2 cups broccoli (chopped)
2 C mushrooms
110 oz tofu drained and pressed
3 T nooch
1 8 oz. package of Shredded Daiya Mozzarella
T of oregano
canola oil spray or olive oil spray
sea salt
1 C H2O

Crumble the tofu in a bowl and add about 2 T of nooch and sea salt to taste. Set aside. Spray fry pan with oil and saute broccoli about 3 minutes, add mushrooms and saute about 2 more minutes. Remove from heat. Get out your 9x13 in. lasagna pan and some foil.
Ladle about 1/2 C marinara on bottom of lasagna pan. Layer with about 5 matzohs. Spread with tofu ricotta, then a layer of veggies and a about 1/4 C Daiya. Repeat with sauce....layering. Pour the H2O all over this baby in between the crevices too, (you don't want hard matzoh), then sprinkle with a little nooch and oregano. Cover with two overlapping layers of foil. Bake for about 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes til bubbly and you just can't wait.

 Two Desserts: Here Comes Trouble

PB Matzo Sandwich Cookie

3-4 Matzos preferably perforated
1/4 C chopped walnuts or peanuts
3-4 T PB
1/2 C dark cocoa
4 T coconut oil melted or in liquid form
1/4 C agave
Line cookie pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with canola oil. Combine coconut oil with agave. Stir then add cocoa powder. Stir until it gets thick. Set aside. Spread PB evenly between matzos. Sandwich together. Cut in even rectangle or squares. Brush both sides with chocolate mixture and sprinkle with nuts. Place in refrigerator or freeze until solid.


Matzo Chocolate Brittle

Make Chocolate the same as above, but ignore matzo perforations. Cover Matzoh sheet in chocolate and freeze. Break or cut into triangle and serve with your favorite vegan ice cream.

P.S. Can I have a bagel now?
A big thank you to my photographer today Mr. Crazy Boy :)

MoFo Day 23 The Inspiration to Continue to the Iron MoFo Challenge

Yes, sometimes the greatest inspiration comes from someone you don't know that well :) I think I will add her to my speed dial now.

I am so elated after that phone call, that I can now go on, and make this award winning candy. I am so inspired that I have included this week's MoFo secret ingredient in the candy. Shhhhh. Coconut! Don't ask me why but this tastes remarkably like chocolate caramel. Wowie.

Award Winning Raw Candy
4 pitted dates

1/3 C coconut oil, melted or room temperature
3/4 C cocoa powder
1/2 C Agave


Filling


1 T raw peanut butter
2 T almond butter
2 tsp non-alcoholic  vanilla
2 T agave

cacao nibs
shredded  unsweetened coconut


Directions:

1. Combine dates and coconut oil in a small bowl and let soak for 30 minutes.
2. Transfer to food processor and add cocoa powder, 1/2 cup agave and process until very smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, combine peanut butter and almond butter, vanilla and 2 tbsp agave and mix well. (this is the filling) 
4. Place 12 mini muffin cups on a large plate. Fill each cup about halfway full with the chocolate mixture. Gently spread about 1 teaspoon peanut butter in each cup.
5. Top cups with the remaining chocolate, covering the peanut butter completely. Variation: I covered some with coconut and topped with cacao nibs, so I would have a candy assortment.
6. Chill the cups in the freezer for about 2 hours before serving.

While you are waiting for the candy to chill, you can chow down on something else, write your acceptance speech or call another toll free number. Thanx for reading, viewing, etc.

I don't like to keep peanut butter around. Peanut butter is relentless. Ground buttery legumes whisper to me from wherever Larry has tried to hide them- behind the coriander and cumin, beneath a Peet's house blend or under several semi dark chocolate chip bags or even in the closet next to his hats.That pesky Pb jar knows that I am just an arm length and a big wooden spoon away. PB was my first vegetarian go to food. I bought fresh Pb in tubs from my local health food store.Pb is warm from the machine. I ate it from the container and spread it on graham crackers with a little bit of honey. When I was 18 I lived in Louisiana and on a midnight jaunt found Mr. Peanut Butter Cookies in the town's Piggly Wiggly. Hello Beautiful. I think Peanut Butter should have a skull and crossbones on it just like Scope. Wait Scope doesn't have a warning label on it. Maybe that 's just in my house.

For The Horseys!

After last week's jalopy hullabaloo I almost forgot to tell you something. I like to share the good stuff too, you know. Particularly when it comes to some shameless self promotion. There's always good if you look for it.

Veganville's PB Lover's Voopee romantically dubbed "PB and Chocolate Get Married" Voopee was chosen as one of Etsy's top five cookies of the week over at this delightful blog called Silverrose Designs.  Holly Westfall promotes other Etsian artists as well as her own beautiful shop, but I made this ...She does not make voopees. Maybe she does, most people do these days.

Holly hand crafted these stunning earrings though. I did not. It's hard to make jewelry when I'm making voopees.

Here is the coolest thing about the above jewelry.You get to support a great animal organization! 100% of the purchase price on these earrings goes to benefit Forever Morgans. FM's mission statement:
ForeverMorgans is an organization of volunteers whose purpose is to be a resource for Morgans in need, whether they are surrendered, rescued from shelters, auctions, kill buyers, or simply removed from potentially dangerous situations. ForeverMorgans wishes to open our virtual barn doors to all Morgans in need of safe and loving homes. We focus on registered Morgans but will consider unregistered Morgans on a case-by-case basis.

So gallop on over to Holly's Shop. You'll be doing a good deed, indeed! I'm done horsing around (oh, boy- sorry). Thank you Holly!

Little Miss Cuffin

If you are a dedicated follower and all around Veganville pal and admirer then you would know that we recently invented something worthy of your knowledge. That's right we here at Veganvillle like to contribute to your over all mental health and adjustment.
In a recent post we introduced the "Cuffin". If you were paying attention you would know that a Cuffin has nothing to do with fisticuffs, although they are so delicious you could probably get away with smashing a Cuffin in someones face. They might even like you for it.
Don't confuse a Cuffin with:

Q:What did one casket say to the other casket?
A: Is that you coffin?

Oh take a riccola already!

A Cuffin is not a coffin and vice versa. Yes, it's true I often eat my Cuffins in a cemetery but that's just me. I like walking after midnight. 

 A Cuffin is a cross between a muffin and a cupcake. Get it?? Bahahaha. 

Check out our new Little Miss Cuffin. And because Miss Cuffin is vegan she'll never include curds or whey ;)

Little Miss Cuffins With PB Glaze
Makes 6 Jumbos
3 medium overripe bananas
1+1/3 cup peanut butter
¼ C agave
¼ cup rice milk mixed with 1tsp apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla
1 ¼ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 6-cup Cuffin pan .

Peel bananas and place in a large mixing bowl mash, then mix in the peanut butter with a fork until well blended. Add agave and stir in the rice milk mixture, and vanilla. Mix in the flour and baking soda. The batter will be thick. It’s cool if a few lumps remain. Using an ice cream scoop, divide batter between cuffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean, and remove to cooling rack. Cool in tin for ten minutes, remove from tin and cool on rack. Cool completely before adding glaze.

PB Glaze3-4 Tsp Rice milk
1 cup powdered sugar
2 T creamy peanut butter
Directions- Just mix them together and drip over cooled Cuffins, or dip Cuffin tops upside down in glaze. Refrigerate for about 45 minutes.


Share them with your favorite spider!

PB Swirl

9/10ths of the time I've got some gratitude going on. Even if I have to drum it up and eek it out. I'd rather be happy and dopey than a pitiful slug. A lot of people like to step on slugs. Vegans aren't even that fond of them. Not that we would intentionally step on anything. I won't even step on a crack because I don't want my mom to suffer.
The 1/10th part- you know, the grimacing gastropod part hit me upside the head this week. It all started with an honest mistake. I sent out caved in cupcakes. I tried covering the offending grand canyon cakes with mounds of icing. The client wouldn't have it. Of course I replaced them, apologized profusely and offered them a free trip to Arizona. Water under the bridge, as they say. Lalalala. I let it go and moved on. It's not good to stress. So I mosied over to my Etsy account. Yep I'm in treasuries everyday, but the sales are bupkus this week. In an effort to make myself feel better I decided to check out other vegan bakers sites to see if perhaps their sales were down too. I consoled myself with, "oh well maybe it's a slow week".  350 sales on one vegan baker's site and 450 at Megaprettyvegan's online account. I just wanted to clear my 60 sales this week.  I tried to let it go. I really did. And just when I was thinking of packing in all my cupcake liners, blue icing and Swedish fish I received a convo on my Etsy account. Nope it didn't make me richer, or even get me past 60 Etsy sales but somehow it kept me at this baking gig for one more day. Here is the letter and our correspondence. Thank You Bakado!


Hi there,

I get mine (pb lovers voopee) at catahoula coffee in Richmond, I'm using them for motivation while training -they are my "cheat" meal (I'm assuming somewhere around 600 kcal for a whole pie) and plan my day's meals accordingly. So far it's been working - down 20 lbs with 5 to go. So thank you for making these pies.
Only problem - is they are too popular at catahoula lately, and I haven't been able to get one for at least a week and a half - and I am feinding FEINDING I tell you!
I would order through easy but the danger of a 6 pack of these sitting on my freezer ( they freeze well right?) scares the dickens out of me - as at least having to get to catahoula stops me from eating these every day of the week.
So please, please please I beg of you - deliver more to catahoula - you can always complain to me via email if they aren't moving and I will make sure everyone I know gets some...
Thank you for your time and voopies
~ ~
Hi Bakadoh (ha ha)
Thanks for your nifty letter of PB Love. If you are picking up this message now 1:45 Friday some Fresh PB voopees should be in your local Catahoula by 2:00 today. I just sent some out.
PB in a jar often calls my name from an undisclosed location, so I can understand your voopee in the house predicament. They do freeze well, by the way. But A freezer never stopped anybody!
Down 20 pounds, that's terrific. What are you training for? You can always order a batch to bring to a friends (just convo me) and I can drop them off at Catahoula sans shipping of course. I'm not sure about the caloric content, but be assured the calories are much less than a whopper, a better source of protein and cruelty free.
Would you mind if I used your letter on my blog today?

Run don't walk to Catahoula now.

Thank you again. Always happy to motivate. (I'm an ex-athlete and coach)
Keep pedaling.

GiGi
Head Honcho of Veganville
~ ~ ~
Of course you can use my letter in your blog. I'm at catahoula right now - buying three... But I love how many there are here.

I won't bore you with my life story - but I'm training to see how fit I can be. Even when I was body building many years ago I never was able to get under 190 for very long. Now I'm hovering between 180 and 177 steadily losing since January 31st.
Sorry chocolate all over my iPhone from the vooper... I'm good for another week- I'm going to try to addict two people for you today, by sharing.
I love your idea for drop ship at catahoula

In honor of the lovely letter I received I am creating a PB Lovers Box that will include PB Voopees, Vanilla Cupcake with PB frosting and PB Swirl Brownies. 60 Etsy sales here we come.

Wanna add some swirl to your brownie now? Make your fave brownie batter and place in prepared pan. In a separate bowl make the PB mixture.
Mix together:
2/3 C PB
2 T canola oil
2 T organic powder sugar

Place dollops of PB mixture on the panned batter. Swirl with knife. Bake according to your favorite brownie recipe directions. Feel free to write me a very nice letter.

What's Up Blondie?

I was never a brownie or a girl scout even though I've sold my cookies from door to door. (Oh you know what I mean). I was a Blondie and even streaked. I've never had a Blondie before yesterday.
I've decided you can interpret this blog any way you want. So as not to further confuse you further let's talk about Blondie's and Brownies as in food and desserts and specifically vegan desserts, shall we.
When I was a mere vegetarian I was known in certain circles for my rad peanut butter brownies. When Veganhood called I switched up PB brownies for moist cakey-fudgey brownies. I serve these up with chocolate mousse.Yesterday I decided to go Blondie. I made these with tahini, pb, agave and vegan chocolate chips and some organic sugar. I think next time I'll add more PB and cut some of the sugar. Still they were a crowd pleaser. To me they were a cross between halvah and chocolate chip cake with a brownie consistency.

I don't know if Blondies have more fun, but they are kind of cute. And speaking of Blondie maybe tomorrow I'll make a vegan Dagwood sandwich. Yum.

The Hurry up and Eat Vegan!

I'm thinking of changing the Veganville moniker to "the hurry up, make the meal and scarf it down vegan". Whaddya think?
Did you know if you put Heimlich in the search engine of my blog you can actually find a couple of posts. My mom has been telling me for eons now not to shovel my food. She blames any physical (okay- or mental) problems I've ever had on how fast I eat.
Tonight I made blackened broccoli and vegan sausage in record time and then ate it all under a minute.
Last night I wokked up some cabbage slaw and lemon tofu in a pan with some minced garlic and served it over that speedy cooking rice pasta. I added some sesame oil, a dash of soy and rice vinegar and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. I snorted it down. I think it was very good.
Larry is a very slooooow eater. It takes him about a day to eat one baby broccoli spear. But unlike my mommy, he does not reprimand. Instead he says, "Why don't you leave the table and look at your Etsy activity page".  I'm out of there like a heartbeat.
My buddy Mo eats fast and talks fast and thinks fast. The other night Mo wanted to make stuffed portabellos again. I filched some additional ideas from unsuspecting bloggers so Mo and I could make some new stuff to accompany the shrooms. It took us a while to whip everything up and then we had a race. This was two days ago. Larry is still eating.
Here's what we had for dessert. I'll start with dessert mainly because the other pics suck.

Pre Refrigeration

I call these "Good Noshy Ganachey" I was peeking around the web and found something real similar over at Vegan Craftastic or Brooklyn Fantastic and Mo and I made a variation. Free country right. I mean my cracker is your cracker.

Right Before Mo and Me and Larry partook



The Improvisation: Sweet and Salty

Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

We used Early July Organic "ritz-like" crackers.

I had leftover PB frosting from an order and we spread it between two crackers. You can use a bit of PB mixed with powdered sugar or PB mixed with agave or PB and strawberry preserves. I melted vegan chocolate chips in a double boiler and Mo got to swirling the crackers with a spatula. Line up on the parchment. Add multi-color sprinkles or chopped nuts.

They are amazingly good. We ate so many we couldn't see straight, which brings me to our next culinary creation and crap picture.

I have been eyeing these vegan deviled eggs for some time now. I first saw them way back when on VeganAide's blog. (See my last blog and just click on her name). Then a couple of days ago I was over at Amandah's blog again (check last post and click there too) and she whipped some up, after she saw Mo's blog (not my cooking buddy, Mo but another Mo) who also whipped up.

Well you know what I mean. Anyway, they look and taste like the real deal but then again who remembers what the real deal tastes like. Apparently I had egg on my face (or on my eyes) when I took the pic.

So kitschy! So good.

So tell me, does it take you close to a lifetime to nibble on a carrot or do you inhale your food? My mommy wants to know.

MoFo 9 Snap-Crackle and My 100th Blog

I gotta hand it to T.J.'s. They may not be an all vegan market but they sure are getting hip to veganhood. They've even made it it easier for Vegans to shop, and gluten free Vegans to boot. Almost all of their vegan goodies are marked with a mighty "V". VGF marks the spot for gluten free vegan items.
T.J.'s "Crisp Rice Cereal" even snaps, crackles and pops, but instead of the pony enhanced "mallow" square recipe that comes on that other cereal box, T.J.'s box comes with a VGF recipe. How cool is that? I've been eyeing this recipe for eons and finally tested it.
It's super delish and fun to make.


Hmm wonder where that other piece went...



No Bake PB Crisp Rice Cereal Treats

1 C Brown Sugar

1 C Agave

1 C PB

7 C TJ's Crisp Rice Cereal

Combine brown sugar and agave in a large saucepan and bring to a near boil stirring often. Continue stirring until brown sugar dissoves. Remove from heat.

Add PB to mixture. Mix well. Now add the rice cereal and mix well again,

Press into a greased and parchment lined 13" by 9" by 2" pan. I used an 8" x 8" pan to make them thicker and had a little left over. Refrigerate for several hours to cool and harden.

Oh there's the other piece sitting on my Timothy Leary plate.

Guess what...no not that. Today marks my 100th blog. Thanks so much for reading! See ya tomorrow.

Enter to Vin A Box of Veganville Voopee Pies

Enter To Vin Veganville Voopies!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But First a Message From GiGi the President, CEO, Grand Dame, Head Honcho, Leader, Queen and Ministeress of Veganville:

Dear Friends and Everybody:

Veganville is excited to introduce their new vonderful line of Veganville Voopees. If you've never had the extreme pleasure of biting into a cakie cookie sandwich with a cruelty free creamie frosting middle, well then By Gosh you don't know what you are missing.
Our Veganville Voopees are flying off the shelves of a local coffee house. If you're sad because you are too far away to get to that cafe, or you're not even a certified vegan - so who cares - don't shvitz... Veganville Voopees are available to everybody near and far, (inside the US), and  just take a look at our Yelp reviews
http://www.yelp.com/biz/veganville-berkeley

You don't even have to be Vegan to love Veganville's goodies. Of course we'd be happier if you were but we still love you, anyway.  We currently carry...
What's Up Doc Carrot Voopees ( filled with scrumtious Vegan butter creme), Lassie's and Lemon, (Molasses Voopee with Lemony Middle), and PB Lovers, (all PB cookies and PB creme cheez middles). We will be introducing a Java Jolt Voopee and Chocolate JoJo Voopee in the next 2 weeks. In the meantime, you can enter to win your very own box of 5 Voopees of your choice of flavor. Just follow the Very Official Veganville Voopee Rules. Contest ends: Friday, September 3rd. Since I will be visiting the parental unit in LA.- we will have two very special guest judges.
My Mommy and my 91 year old Daddy will be judging all entries. Good luck everybody.

Veganville Voopee Rules:
1. Entries must be received before Friday September 3 by 3:00 PM .
2. Veganville needs more fans so please copy and paste this blog onto your FB or social networking page.
3.You must Add yourself as a follower on the Veganville fan page on FB. If you don't have a FB account - add yourself as a follower of this blog.
4. Add the comment to the Veganville fan page, " I love Veganville Voopees".
5. You must be a follower of this Veganville blog. Add a comment to this post, "I love Veganville Voopees", and add a new flavor you would like us to create.

Thank you so much! Good luck.

If you can't wait for the contest. You can order these at http://www.veganville.etsy.com/
xoxoxo
GiGi

Another Dimension, Pb and Chocolate Parfaits

Hey my little patooties. It's mercury retrograde bahahaha. Here are some helpful hints to get you through this celestial armpit. Go ahead and stick your noggin in a king size jar of natural peanut butter. Pump up your ipod so you can hear through the container or make some cheezy popcorn and watch some old Twilight Zone episodes.
Like this one.

They didn't have airport security in those days. Boy, oh boy Terrorism sure has changed.
I know... I know things break and get molassesy when the moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter aligns with Mars - lalala
Sorry- I'm back now - but count your blessings. I mean -
1.Did your Hubby mistake you for Frieda Kahlo this morning?...Not for your artistic acumen mind you, but because your mustache grew in over night.
2.Did your husband finally do the laundry and now your pants are the size you used to be?
3.Did your mommy want to name you April Grace until she saw the size of your schnoz and called you....Penelope the female version for Pinocchio instead?
4.Does your husband send out cover letters on Hello Kitty stationery?

If none of this applies to you then Mercury Retrograde or not, count your blessings. Because well, you are not me! Okay, I lied about the Penelope part, but that's what female Pinocchio's do. My mommy saw my nose and called me GG for Good God!
Okay that's a lie too. I just wanted to make you feel better.

Let's all have some comfort food. Get those monster spoons out, we'll devour some parfaits and then we'll munch some cheezy popcorn. Hey let's get out the flannel sleeping bags and have a sleepover too. Just like the old days...but this time we won't puke out GiGi's bedroom window.

Hey remember, Queen Elizabeth of Oakland and her winning recipe? You know, the one she sent in to the Koffe Klotch contest to be veganized. Her majesty's winning recipe is Pb pie. Since the gals from PPK and Vegan Vengeance already nailed a Pb pie recipe, I decided to do up a "Reesie Parfait" and veganize Queen Elizabeth's recipe that way.

Pb Pie Parfait
Makes 2- 3 parfaits, (frozen or refrigerated). 

For the cookie crumble layer
15 TJ vanilla Jojo's or all vanilla Jojo's

Pb Layer
1 12 oz firm silken tofu
1/2-3/4 C Pb
1 T agave
1/2-3/4 C confectioners sugar

Chocolate Layer
1 12 oz firm silken tofu
1C vegan chocolate chips
1 T maple syrup or agave

2 Jojo cookies cut in half


Line up your parfait glasses. Put all the cookies except the last 2 in a plastic bag. Bash with a rolling pin. That's it. Get that aggression out until you have turned those defenseless cookies into cookie crumbs. Set aside the crumbs and why not set aside those resentments  while you are at it. I bet you feel better already.

Pb Layer
Place 1 silken tofu in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Add Pb, confectioners sugar, and agave to the tofu mix and blend another 2- 3 minutes. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides with a spatula. Mix completely. Spoon Pb mix into bowl and set aside.
Rinse blender or food processor (unless of course you happen to have  two food processors or blenders...well aren't you lucky!)

Chocolate Layer
Mix tofu in blender/food processor 'til smooth. In a double boiler melt the 1 C vegan chips, stirring constantly with a heat proof spatula or wooden spoon. If you've got a microwave a.k.a. nuke machine (the horror) you can melt the chocolate in it too. Just don't blame me if your cranium turns into uranium. Let the chocolate cool for a sec. Pour into tofu mix and blend with agave for about two minutes or until smooth.
This is fun. The layering part is coming up.
Layer the cookie crumbs, the Pb, then the chocolate, go ahead do it again until you can't take it anymore.
Place a half cookie vertically on top of your pretty parfait.
You can refrigerate for as little as an hour. You can refrigerate over night - but who wants to wait that long, really.
Or you can freeze them. Any way is great. It's really comfort dessert at it's best!
I know - I know was going to throw in a cheezy popcorn recipe too, but let's face it this was one long ass blog. Happy spooning!

Veganville Brownie and Mousse Winner Announced.. kind Of

Veganville decided to extend Koffee Klotch-"Send us a Dessert and We'll Veganize it for you Contest". We like to be nice and give people a chance to be nice back. We also needed extra time to cull through all two entries. Several people sent us letters explaining why they would not enter the Veganville contest for a chance to win brownies. Below are some of their comments.

1.I hate cooking and baking, hence I do not own any recipes at all.
2.I never write anything down, I make it up as I go. I don't know what a recipe is.
3.I buy pies and frozen cakes from TJ's.The only thing I do is thaw a pie.
4.GiGi has already veganized everything I've thought of.
5.I don't want GiGi's stupid brownies.
6.You suck, GiGi!
7.I do not eat dessert, unless you count Cheeze Doodles. (not vegan, not vegan!!!!!)

The entries were surprising too. Our first entry came from Mark Samu, a runner-up in Veganville's first contest. His wife Lu had framed the last recipe her late mother had given her. Mark snuck the recipe from under the frame, photocopied it and sent it to us when Lu was out tending her garden. We certainly appreciate the effort this contestant has made. We always applaud the macabre here at Veganville too. This is the second oil splotched dead person recipe we have received from Mark Samu. The authenticity certainly made him a contender. Sorry, Mark we've already done a cheesecake, but see who you can dig up-what you can dig up next time.

Our second entry came from a woman who was following GiGi's blog, anonymously. The recipe is for frozen peanut butter pie. Yum. The entrant said she followed all the contest rules and would be particularly nice to GiGi's mother, since she very much wanted to win. The entrant finally told us who she was and that she really wants our freakin' brownies. We have taken it upon ourselves to break her anonymity...
The Winner of the Koffee Klotch - "Send Us a Dessert Recipe and We'll Veganize it for you Contest" and the grand prize of dark chocolate brownies and mousse is:

Queen Elizabeth of Oakland, California.



...

Nuthin Butter Cupcakes

I was all psyched to make Ricemellow filled cupcakes that are of course pony safe. No horsing around for this girl Yuk Yuk. I'm totally bummed that two local health food stores no longer carry one of my favorite confections and that I would have to mail order it, and that would take oodles of time. These little nuthin butters just couldn't wait. Since necessity is the mother of invention, I decided to concoct my own marshmallow type thing.


Remember fluffernutter- peanut butter sandwiches, don't you? Well this is my vegan friendly cupcake tribute to that white bread wonder.
Enjoy!


The filling
1 12 0z.silken tofu (in the box)
1/4 Cup canola oil
1/3 cup agave (or maple syrup)
1 T non-dairy milk (I use vanilla rice milk)
1.5 tsp vanilla (I use non-alcoholic)
1 ripe banana sliced (optional)_
Blend all ingredients except banana in food processor or blender.Blend about a minute then add banana blend again 'til smooth. Refrigerate for a couple to several hours.
This filling rocks as a pudding too, so if you don't feel like making the whole shabang this pudding stands alone.


Make the cupcakes.
2/3 cup rice milk
1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
2/3cup agave syrup
1/3C canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/3 cup unbleached flour
3/4tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of sea salt


Line cupcake pan with liners and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Whisk rice milk and apple cider vinegar in large bowl and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. If it looks curlded that's okay! Beat in agave, oil and vanilla. Sift in baking powder, baking soda, and pinch of salt. Fill liners about 2/3 full. Bake 20-22 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Don't overbake. Cool on rack for about an hour before frosting or filling.


The following recipe is from "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" By Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. I wuv these Brooklyn girls!


Peanut butter OMG frosting (I added the OMG...aren't I clever?)
1/4 cup earth balance margarine softened
2 tablespoons vegan shortening
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 Cups confectioners sugar
1-2 T rice, or soy milk


Cream together margarine and shortening with hand mixer til smooth. Add peanut butter and vanilla and beat another 2-3 minutes. Beat in sugar and dribble in rice milk, beating til frosting is a pale tan. Beat continuously until frosting is very fluffy.


Assemblage...the filling Option 1


Here's the fun part... because it leads up to eating. If you are decent with a pastry bag you don't have to be a whiz... fill your pastry bag about a 1/4 way with the filling. Put pastry bag down, and take a very clean index finger and poke a hole in the top of each cupcake. Pick up the pastry bag now and place the tip down into the cupcake and fill.
The Filling Option 2...What are you crazy GiGi??? A pastry bag? hahaha.
Don't worry your little head.
Cut the freakin top off the cupcake then- you great big scaredy pants. Now spoon a dollop onto the cupcake and gently place the top of the cupcake back on.No need to shvitz.


Frosting
Take a spatula and frost those babies.
The peanut butter frosting was so goood...my camera ate it.