Saturday, December 01, 2007

Staying healthy and happy

It's getting to be that time of year when that blah feeling can start to sneak up on you--well, on me, anyway. This week has been like that for me, in part because I've felt a bit under the weather and in part because of coming back from such a lovely vacation.

Bob and I had a fun trip to Disney World in Orlando, and a marvelous visit with my sister and her fiancé. Here are some highlights of the trip:


Me and Bob, and a lovely twilight at Epcot.


Me and Ashton getting in to mischief in Norway...


And four happy people having a great time.


It's so easy to survive as a vegan there... Take, for example, this roasted veggie pizza that Bob and I shared for our Thanksgiving dinner at Downtown Disney.


And this bowl of vegan chili with a hummus sandwich that we scored at the Magic Kingdom. There is even an ice cream shop that serves vegan ice cream... though we didn't find it until after we had already shared a frozen lemonade, and we did not really need a second frozen treat in one day. We also found veggie burgers at the Magic Kingdom, and roasted veggie wraps and bean burritos with guacamole at Epcot.

Here are some of the things we've been eating since we got back.

Simple dinners:


Steamed edamame with coarse sea salt flakes.


Hummus.


This baked tofu sandwich was pretty good. I just mixed up a marinade of tamari, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, liquid smoke, onion powder, and garlic powder, and I baked the tofu in the marinade until it was all soaked up.

As I said, I've felt a bit under the weather this week. Nothing is a better answer to that than hot, nutritious soup.


This big bowl of quick miso soup with spinach and mushrooms was just what I needed yesterday afternoon.


And this Tofu Noodle Soup from Vegetarian Soups and Stews for All Seasons, using the leftover baked tofu, was also a wonderfully comforting meal.

So I've been focusing on food that will help us stay healthy... though sometimes you just need a treat.


Like these Brooklyn vs. Boston Cream Pie Cakes from VCTOTW. I made them as a surprise for Bob one night. He was wowed by the dark ganache topping...


And he was taken completely by surprise with the creamy center! These cupcakes were so good, but as Isa suggests in the book, they're definitely better after being refrigerated overnight.

It's December, which means the holiday season is upon us. For some reason, I am not feeling particularly festive this year, at least not yet. That's okay. I have a project up my sleeve that may help with that. But for now, I wish you health and happiness and peace in your own lives... and I'll be around your blogs soon. I promise. Cheers!

15 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Welcome back, Laura!! Looks like you had a magical vacation at Disney World!! Who knew it was so vegan-friendly?!?! what a wonderful surprise!!

And of course everything you've been cooking at home looks fabulous - especially those Boston Cream Pie cupcakes - how decadent!!

Take care!! Looking forward to your next post!! :0)

Beata said...

It's good to see your pictures! You look like you had so much fun in Disney World. I hope you did get some relaxing in now that work isn't quite as crazy.

Anonymous said...

I love the looks of the dishes you have on this post. Of course I am on a 2 day clear liquid diet before surgery, so I cannot make any of them, but just wait until I get back home!

Thanks, Laura, as usual, very interesting posts. The very reason I send so many people here for ideas.

Jackie V.
http://foodblog.jkvetter.com

Teresa said...

Welcome Back Laura! And thanks for checking by my blog even though I disappeared too!

It looks like you had a great vacation, with the best company! I would never have guessed that there would be so much vegan fare at Disney World. I wonder if that is also the case at Disney Land.

ANd I'm loving all the soups you've been making. I've really been into soups myself lately. I bet Bob was thrilled to have those special cupcakes you made him!

I know what you mean about not feeling festive, but I'm very curious as to what this special project is.

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Sounds and looks like you had a great time at Disneyworld... I haven't been there in so long!

And you DID save me a boston ceam pie cupcake, right? ;o)

Anonymous said...

Aw--I hope you feel better soon! It looks like you had a very nice trip, and I am impressed by all of the vegan eats you were able to find!

Those cupcakes look really good--that is one recipe I have yet to try from VCtotW. But I will be making it soon!

Thanks
Courtney

aTxVegn said...

Hi, Laura! I'm so glad you had a great time in Disney World and were able to find good vegan eats. I'm not much in the spirit of the season yet either, although I am starting to feel the stress of needing to do some present shopping and lots of goodie baking.

Your cupcakes sure turned out perfectly! Feel better soon.

Candi said...

Welcome back! Your trip photos are great! It's good to know that you can easily eat vegan at Epcot and Disney.

I hope you are feeling better now after all the great foods you've been making. The soups look so good to me! The miso one with spinach and mushrooms is a great idea. I also love the book you used: Soup for all Seasons. Great cookbook!

Oh, those cupcakes! I have not made any in a long time, but I love the filling in yours and the ganache! Very fancy! :)

A project up your sleeve to help you feel festive? Oh, I can't wait. ;) I'm sure it will be a fun one and it may even inspire me to get in the holiday spirit. :)

Anonymous said...

that food looks awesome, nice family photos.

get well soon

Wheeler's Frozen Dessert said...

Kudos to Disney for having vegan options! (Though it makes sense that they would, since SO many people pass through the parks each year... I imagine the number of vegans (dietary and otherwise) would be fairly signifant.) Those cupcakes look amazing, btw... Can't wait to try that recipe out! -Amy@Wheeler's

JENNA said...

looks like you had a great time at Disney..i've never been there. it's nice to know you had lots of vegan options to eat...i'm craving edamame now..yours looks so good.

bazu said...

Good to hear from you, Laura! And I loved seeing all your lovely food photos- both at home and while traveling- I think seeing all that green, healthy food made me feel healthier already. I hope you're feeling a bit better- I'm also dealing with 'blah' feelings, and it's strange, because most of the rest of the world is really festive- I just hope I catch up soon!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Looks like a fun trip!! Can't believe they had so many vegan options :-)
And whew, the holiday season is upon us and I'm not ready!

Elaine Vigneault said...

I had no idea Disney World was vegan friendly.

By the way, Worcestershire sauce is not vegan. It has anchovies in it.

Anonymous said...

Hi... just happen to cross your site...

Im planning to go to Tokyo or Hong Kong Disney this Christmas. Hoho and I found some stuffs from Hong Kong Disneyland here as well:
disneycloth.cwahi.net

I will definitely take tones of photos there!!!