{Recipe}Extra Sharp Raw Vegan Cheese Ball

I'm easing into my Monday after a whirlwind college weekend (and hello daylight savings time!).    I have an easy peasy recipe for you.  Vegan and cheese don't seem to go together but this recipe works. 

I mentioned this Kick Ace Extra Sharp Raw Vegan Cheese Ball in my What I'm Making For Thanksgiving  post.  It was an easy make ahead recipe and I still have one in the freezer.

 

The base mixes up to a smooth 'cheezy' combination. I think you could dip chips in it!   It makes enough for two cheese balls and you can roll them in your favorite herbs and nuts. It tastes like that port wine cheese dip.

This was my attempt at a turkey for our Thanksgiving meal.  It's great spread on veggies or crackers. You can find the recipe here.

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{Recipe} No-Chicken Orzo Italian Wedding Soup

This soup has become a staple at my house and I've made it so often that I'm surprised I haven't posted a recipe for it yet!  It combines two of my favorite soups into a tasty tummy pleaser. The whole family loves it and it's totally vegan.  

 I've even been making it for a friend who has been recovering from a hospital stay and she loves it too.   

You won't miss the meat, I promise.

No-Chicken Orzo Italian Wedding Soup

{Ingredients}

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/2 cup celery (sometimes I leave this out)

6 cups No-Chicken Vegetable Broth (Better Than Bouillon Brand)

1/2 cup dried orzo (or other small pasta)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 tsp Bell's All Natural Seasoning

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp celery seed

1/2 tsp dried onion

1-2 bay leaves

Salt & Pepper to taste

Frozen meatless meatballs (I liked Trader Joe's or Ikea brand)

To make:

1)Saute onions, carrots and celery (if using) in a large pot over medium heat. You can use a little olive oil or water to saute the veggies until onions are translucent.
2)Add in the minced garlic and stir to cook, being careful not to burn it.
3)Add the broth, orzo and seasonings (except salt and pepper) and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
4)Cover and simmer on low to cook the orzo (about 15-20 minutes).

5)Once the orzo is cooked, add in the frozen meatballs (I usually add about 10-12 of them). 

6)Continue to heat on low until meatballs have been heated through.  

7)Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Adjust any other seasonings if necessary.

Enjoy this easy dinner any night of the week.  It's even better the next day!

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My Trick for Falling To Sleep

I'm a big fan of sleep. I think it's important to get a good night's sleep and I try to get one every night if possible. Sometimes that's easier said than done when my mind is racing and won't settle. 

{how cute is Miss High School here?}

One trick I use for clearing my mind and falling to sleep is to count backwards from 300 by threes.  I saw a sleep specialist give this advice on a show a few years ago. He said it works because it's challenging enough for us to not be able to think of anything else and simple enough that we're not over stressing our brains(or something along those lines).  I tried it and it almost always works for me. I might have to start over if my mind wanders or go through it a few times but before I know it, the alarm is going off.  It's very useful if I wake up during the night, I automatically "click" into it now and can fall back to sleep more easily.
It also happens to be the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Awareness week so this post couldn't be more timely. For more information about it, click here.
Do you have any tricks for falling asleep?

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The Making Of an Avocado Toast

Avocado toast has been one of my favorite things lately.  

It makes a great breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner and it's totally customizable.   Here's how I make mine.

Toast up some Ezekial brand bread (my favorites are Sesame and Flax Seed right now). Use 1/2 avocado--more or less depending on your taste--for two slices of toast.  Spoon the avocado out of the skin and mash it gently with a fork on the toast.   Add tomatoes if you like then sprinkle with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and some hemp seeds for more crunch.

 That's it! So simple yet delicious and satisfying.  Are you and avocado toast fan?

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