Coupon Deals For The Week

Armed with a wad of e-coupons, this little lady is ready to save the big bucks!

If you haven't liked them, what are you waiting for? Vegan Coupons
Please flip through their cutesy designed website and then the coupon link: 8th Continent
If missed out on the Seeds Of Change coupon, you can click here on their site: Seeds Of Change

Been longing to try this- Alba Botanica Kukui Nut Body Oil. Heard it was heaven in a bottle!

Some Facebook only deals include $2 off Jason oral care, $4 off Alba Botanicals and $1 off So Delicious. 
Mambo Sprouts just added a new Kiss Your Face coupon- $1 off any of their sunscreen products and a $1 off Zevia All Natural Soda!
My local health food store has discounts on brands like Fantastic Foods, Lundberg, R.W. Knudsen, Vega, and more! All Dayton and surrounding area Ohioans please check out: Health Foods Unlimited A lot of great stuff from 20%-50% here! But prices are only valid until tomorrow, so get a move on!!!!
Always peruse local ads, clip, get further connected, and save!

Dark Chocolate Dreams And Mini Wtf's....

After a cardio blasting workout, pick me up was in order. Ate one half of the Dark Chocolate Dream Almond bar on Sunday night and it was as good as that novel read 100x times.

And then a nerdy, mini fro sporting lady cordially ate the other half yesterday. It smells so erotically delicious that it should be bottled as perfume called Aphrodisiachocolate. Should be shaped like a chocolate bar too! ;)

-

Pretty tasty. Crunchy almonds and dark chocolate a winning combination. They even spell it out for chocoholics right here. Thanks guys! :)

The first chocolate bar that ever had this word- "VEGAN!"

So tonight after dinner, saddened to be down to a miniscule of flour, not even a full cup. Since I was out of chocolate, larabars, and Clifs, wanted to make a little dessert with the last of it.
Combining flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, olive oil, salt, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, applesauce, and water, I poured evenly stirred kitchen experiment into lined muffin pan and baked them for 25 minutes. Came out with very intriguing spice cakes, which in all honesty didn't think would be any good.
Thus made a "just in case" drizzle because when doused in chocolate, it cannot go wrong!
Ingredients of Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Chocolate Milk, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, cinnamon, sugar, olive oil, and ginger were amazing on top of sultry cupcake concoction! OMG!!!
Patting myself on the back. Made wacky (okay bad) vegan desserts this year, but these Mini WTF's are superb.
That's right- these babies are being donned "Mini WTF's!" because it's just crazy how delicious these are!

Mini WTF's

I promise to have a proper recipe and will definitely make them soon.
Another keeper in the AfroVeganChick recipe box! Yes! :D

Miss Mozzarella? Have A Fried Tofu-Ella Stick!

Tofu-ella Sticks? What???

Monday night, craved a snack.
And mind you, it wasn't the healthiest kind.

The Veg Web

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup panko (Japanese style) bread crumbs
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
3-4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/2 block extra firm tofu, cut to strips

Heat pan with olive oil.

Dice tofu into six thick strips.

Prepare the panko bread crumbs, Italian seasonings, 2 tablesponns nutritional yeast, salt and pepper into bowl while mixing mustard, garlic, and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast in a separate dish.

Place tofu into wet and then coat it in dry batter.

Toss them into hot skillet, jump back in grease fear, and cover with lid.

Every 3-5 minutes, flip tofu over.

Though some crumbs are still in the pan, what was left on the tofu tasted awesome!

Next time, will add additional mustard so panko batter stays relatively attached, but the pan was so hot, I had to quickly throw my sticks in, leaving little time to make more of the wet mixture.
Once they were done sprinkled a dash more Italian seasoning and nutritional yeast on top and devoured sans marinara sauce- though I will make that next time!
I admit, had a fear of soggy catastrophe, but it tasted great.
Slightly crispy on the interior, not too greasy, and featuring a delicately soft "mozzarella" center, it was a good first effort.
Putting those comments on the Veg Web to good use, I think using seasoning was a very good idea and that nutritional yeast really does bring that cheesy flavorful component to the sticks.
I should have gotten this ages ago! :D

Newman's Owned That Chocolate Orange Bar!

Olivia wanted to sample, but no!
Maybe she's that close because she admired the $9 Scooby Doo t-shirt from Hot Topic?

Smells so orange-y when opened!

The "chocolate haze" face. Seriously would have eaten the whole thing, but that 31 grams of fat ain't nothing to sneeze at! Haha!

Tried the Newman's Own Organics Orange Dark Chocolate candy bar and ate it in two days flat.
I absolutely demolished that unsharable goodness like a raging Godzilla woman.
Shocking coming from someone who doesn't eat oranges, but enjoys orange flavor, right?
Does that even make sense?
With organic chocolate being primary ingredient and that natural orange flavor last, zesty undertones of that citrus fruit essence whispered at every bite of decadence, "I'm present and delicious."
This is the kind of chocolate bar that must be eaten slowly, savored as eyes drift close.
Okay, I suppose the secret's out- don't actually devour monster style when it comes to chocolate.
Nope.
Not at all.
Its special, beautiful taste is what inspires passionate poetry, something to love as though will never have again. They should rename it to Newman's Own Orangansmic Dark Chocolate bar....
And taste buds miss it already. *sighs and withholds a sniffle*
On a serious note, this may be melted down into a future creme or frosting of some sort. Hmmmm...
As for those three Good 'N Natural bars, a mistake. That is all.
Win some. Lose some.

Vegan Baked "Cheesy" Spinach Fettuccine Noodles With Broccoli & Soy Ground

Does this bowl of food turn you on?

Thought I would try out the De Bole's Spinach Fettuccine.
Been eying this for months debating whether or not, I should. Now that it was finally bought and paid for, one cannot turn down challenge of cooking the unknown.
First off, it's made of organic durum wheat semolina, spinach flour, and Jerusalem artichoke flour- interesting ingredients for a pasta.
Also used the nutritional yeast too. Oddly enough smells similar to cheese....

Ingredients

1 box De Boles Spinach Fettuccine
2 cups frozen broccoli
1/3 cup Cheddar Daiya shreds
1/4 cup soy ground (Lightlife is always a winner!)
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/4 cup plain soy milk
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
a few sprigs cilantro (optional)

Add pasta to salted water. Supposed to be al deinte in 6-8 minutes, but I cooked mine for 12. Sorry, that's just how I like mine.

Pour in that scrumptious broccoli halfway through.

Stir constantly & slap your arm when tired.

Strain. Smile with relief.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Fight the urge to sample.

Into a baking dish topped with extra Daiya & nutritional yeast, off it goes into preheated oven at 350 degrees!

20 minutes later. Ready to be eaten.

Sprinkled additional nutritional yeast on top.

Tastes.... interesting.
Something I'll have to get used to.
Every bite different than the last.
Actually, it was the same exact feeling when trying whole wheat pasta for the first time. All grainy and foreign textured, making tongue mournfully cry out for white flour pasta.
Yet strangely enough, the leftovers were positively scrumptious and as you all know, I cook primarily for one person so having this big dish of oddly delicious "beef" pasta couldn't possibly be a good thing.
Especially when suddenly, mind is saying, "damn. This is good stuff! What was I thinking last night????"
That cheesy goodness (nutritional yeast/Daiya together is an evened match here!), that tangy zip of mustard, and garlic beef....
Well, unless you love working out, going on long walks, and burning all those calories spent mauling down, I suggest that when making baked cheesy "beef" spinach fettuccine invite some guests over.
Seriously. 

New Items Anxious To Try

Officially joining the nutritional yeast bandwagon.

$53. 54.
Well, the grocery store trip wasn't what I originally planned. Learned an age old lesson here: never go hungry or without a list, one does truly end up buying loads of stuff they plan on eating right then and there.
Seriously, I craved everything vegan in the Nature's Market of Kroger's and left forgetting staples like chickpeas, black beans, brown rice, and soy/almond/coconut milk.
Not only do I still have farmer's market Saturday (might skip it this weekend), but need to go right back to Kroger's to get these very imperative items!!!
Never ever doing this again. Hahaha!
Anyways, with few coupons, I picked up some new stuff. Not all junk.
Nutritional yeast, I've often heard of, but have yet sampled, but apparently it smells and tastes of cheese.
As for the other things, Good 'N Natural Bars, Newman's Own Dark Chocolate Orange Bar, Almond Dark Chocolate Dreams Bar (will it be like my fave peanut butter, lol), Garden Of Eatin' tortilla chips, and De Boles organic pasta, I will hopefully give the hit/miss scoop!

Had a coupon of Buy 3, $1 off. These were on sale for $1 each, so got 1 free!

I miss those Hershey days. Hopefully these candy bars will help me forget. Newman's Own Dark Chocolate Orange was $2.29 & the Almond Dark Chocolate Dream was $2.49. Around the same price as Hershey's so...

Had a coupon for $1 off two bags of Garden Of Eatin chips. Though a hard, hard decision, chose Sweet Potato & Guacamole Tortilla Chips. They are $2.38 each.

Have been desiring to try this for weeks- Organic Spinach Fettuccine made with Jerusalem Artichoke Flour! At $2.39, I might as well give it a shot, right?

This time around only saved around $7.
Seriously plan on saving quadruple that.
With aide like coupons.com, writing an actual list, and looking at weekly grocery ads, one cannot go wrong. Also another tip, with a Kroger's Plus card, you can go online, upload all kinds of coupons to it and when going into the checkout line it takes all off your chosen clippings automatically!
Now how sweet is that?
EDITED: Garden Of Eatin are not vegan. Returned ASAP. No trouble thankfully. But must remind myself to always check the ingredients of items. Just because they are sold in the Nature's Market along with a majority of vegan foods does not make it vegan. Honest mistake, I suppose. *sighs*

Vegan Spicy "Oil-Less" Applesauce Pancakes

Funny that I have fresh blueberries now when I think apple slices would have been splendid! Always have the wrong fruit on deck, lol. Still works though. :)

No olive or coconut oil? No butter? WHAT???? Is this for real?
Well, there is oil. Seriously.
That is the applesauce is the butter/oil element in these delicious treats!
Moist, fluffy, and delicious, these are wonderful topped with fresh fruit, light apricot or raspberry preserves,  maple syrup, or butter (if truly, truly desired).

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup plain soy milk (8th Continent!) or any other vegan milks
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Blend dry ingredients first & gradually add liquids.

Mix well and even until batter has a smooth consistency.

Pour desired amount into preheated non stick skillet.

Flip over when it's all bubbled up in the center and the edges are ready. They look less greasy, but they were easy to flip over thank heavens.

Enjoy. Smothered mine in Polaner's Raspberry Fruit Spread. A nice sweetness counteracting with the spicy madness.

Yummy!
I adore making pancakes. Experimenting with fruits and flavors has been absolutely fun. Though I used blueberries as the fresh fruit accompaniment to these warm, mouth-watering, spirited delights, a sliced cinnamon sprinkled apple would be absolutely brilliant for next time.
Now if I could get a great maple tempeh sausage or tofu scramble on the side, a full course breakfast will be set! Woot! Woot!

The One Lovely Blog Awards

A big thank you and shout out to Lidia of Vegan Bloggers Unite for nominating AfroVeganChick for the Lovely Blog Awards. The sweet honor comes just in time for the near start of seven months vegan.
Woo hoo! Please catch my guest blog post here http://veganbloggersunite.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/866/ and I look forward to sharing more adventures into veganism with this incredible blog! :D

The rules are as follows for these types of things:

• Link back to the blogger who nominated you.
• Paste the award image on your blog, anywhere.
• Tell them 7 facts about yourself.
• Nominate 15 other blogs you like for this award.
• Contact the bloggers that you have chosen to let them know that they have been nominated.
• Resume blogging your regular posts. 

Why yes, I am painted in chocolate syrup. Don't ask why....

Seven facts about me:

*It's hard to choose between broccoli & mushroom as the dominating vegetable favorite. Also I love a good ripened avocado. Yum!
* Love chocolate so much that it inspired a poem entitled, "Chocolate, Will You Marry Me?" which was chosen to be published in Wine, Cheese, & Chocolate: The Taste Of Literary Elegance Anthology, due out later this year.  
*Currently writing a dramatic trilogy of novels centering around a young artist's plights through life struggles is constantly reminded that friendship is never miles away.
*Acrylic painting, litho/colored pencil/oil pastel drawing, and printmaking are preferred artist mediums.
*I love my cat. She's freaking awesome! ("Meow, Sweetpea!")
*Days Of Our Lives is the best serial ever and I literally follow its star, James Scott everywhere, lol. In fact, he's now on Twitter ya'all! Stalk James Scott
*In the future, after traveling the expansive world, making art and writing books, I yearn to retreat into a modest cabin, own acres of land, garden herbs, vegetables, and fruits while living in quiet solitude.

Yes! Feed this lady some chocolate. Preferably a rich vegan dark with fruit & nuts!

15 Favorite Blogs

Malt Shop Kittens
B*tch Flicks
Vegan Girl
The Clean Eating Mama
What The Hell Does A Vegan Eat Anyway?
Alice In Nappyland
Natural Belle
Black Girl With Long Hair
Afrobella
Healthy. Happy. Life.
Vintage Danielle
My Journal
Mixie Studio
Daze Of Our Lives
Jenny Lloyd

The Tanks Burger

OMG! Pouting over massive U-haul truck of food.

Tanks Bar & Grill On Wayne.
Delicious all soy patty on Kaiser bun topped with all the beloved veggie fixings.
Wolfed down in less than eight minutes.
Who's a lunchtime champion?
Me!
Just kidding.
In all seriousness, I suggest sinking into every juicy bite, slowly let the combined flavors dance on salivated tongue, melt into the chair as hot, plump mushrooms take it to the next level, and silently hold back a sob as that fresh combination of lettuce, tomato, onion lure taste buds into a whole another world Aladdin and Jasmine style.

Yes, I can eat all of this!

A delicious "beefy" soy burger topped with leafy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sliced savory red onions, and grilled mushrooms.

Close up of tee underneath favorite polka dot blue sweater cardigan.  "Ultraviolet Vibe" was purchased at target for only $4.99 off their clearance rack! Isn't she a beaut?

The Cilantro Tofu, Black Beans, & Green Pea Party

Mmmmhmmmm tender & delicious.

I had a few stray things in the fridge on the verge of going bad and had to use them ASAP!
Thus created another happy stir fry for dinner. 

Ingredients

1/2 block of tofu
2 tablespoons cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup drained and rinsed black beans
1/2 cup of cooked green peas

One block of tofu says goodbye to the other.

Oils & herbs prepared for chopped tofu.

Hand toss tofu into the mixture, making sure to coat each part.

Pour entire bowl on a hot olive oiled skillet, set on medium heat & cover. Warning: kitchen may smell very fragrant!

Turn over after 5 minutes & cover again.

Add pretty black beans.

Then cooked peas and a cilantro garnish.

This almost looks like grapes on a vine, lol.

Perfect fulfilling meal for one.
To think, I used to hate soft tofu and pouted whenever it wasn't fried to a crisp. Now I should head back to those restaurants and give soft tofu an apology. It's not so bad.
Light, well seasoned, and of firm texture, it's unique, flavored partially by the black beans and green pea sea.
Plus loved the beauty of cilantro firmly attached to random rectangular chunks. Made dinner almost upscale and elegant by this unintentional artistry.

This was amazing!

As for the other half of the tofu block- used the same base, but added an additional amount of balsamic vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder.
Out of the two, I preferred this dish.
Tasted like mini sirloin steaks.
Except well, not even in my non-vegetarian days have I ever had a sirloin steak. :o