Smoothie De Maracuja

Isto é para todos os meus amigos brasileiros. Eu finalmente tive coragem suficiente para fazer um vídeo em Português. Eu ainda estou aprendendo, então por favor sejam pacientes. Como a maioria das pessoas que me conhecem sabem que eu amo o povo brasileiro, a cultura, e também a comida. Então, eu vou estar compartilhando alguns vídeos de receitas vegan do Brasil.

Sou plenamente americana, eu não tenho uma parte de mim que é brasileira, exceto o meu coração. Cerca de três anos atrás, eu fiz alguns trabalhos em missão em Manaus - Brasil. Foi uma das maiores oportunidades que tive. Eu fui lá sem saber o Português, mas com a vontade de aprender. Meus amigos brasileiros em Michigan tinham me ensinado algumas palavras em Português, -"Meu nome e Kylee, eu sou baixinha", e "Beija-me". 

Fiquei la em Manaus por 6 semanas eu tive que aprender a língua rapidamente, porque eu estava vivendo com 40 jovens brasileiros, e teve de ganhar dinheiro com a venda de livros. Um dicionário tradutor sempre veio a calhar, mas não ajudou quando acabou o dinheiro necessário para o almoço, então eu percebi que teria que tentar usar o meu Português. Depois da minha primeira tentativa de vender uma revista, em que eu fiz dinheiro suficiente para o almoço. Minha amiga brasileira que estava comigo também precisava de dinheiro para o almoço, e sabia que eu seria capaz de vender a revista mais fácil, então ela me enviou para obter seu dinheiro do almoço também. Nós comemos bem naquele dia.

De qualquer forma, aqui está o meu primeiro vídeo em Português. Espero que todos gostem. Basta lembrar que eu sou uma americana tentando aprender Português.

This is for all my Brazilian friends. I finally had enough courage to make a video in Portuguese. I'm still learning so be patient please. As most people who know me, know that I love Brazilian people, the culture, and also the food. So I'll be sharing some videos of vegan Brazilian food. 

I am fully American, I do not have one part of me that is Brazilian, except for my heart. About 3 years ago I did some mission work in Manaus - Brazil. It was one of the greatest opportunities I've had. I went there not knowing Portuguese, but the willingness to learn. My Brazilian friends in Michigan had taught me some words in Portuguese, "Meu nome e Kylee, eu sou baixinha," and "Beija-me." Which means "my name is Kylee and I'm short", and "kiss me."

While staying in Manaus for 6 weeks I had to learn the language quickly, because I was living with 40 Brazilian young people, and had to earn money by selling books. A translator dictionary always came in handy, but it wasn't until I ran out of money and needed to eat lunch, that I realized I would have to try using my Portuguese. After my first try at selling a magazine I made enough money for lunch. My Brazilian friend who was with me also needed money for lunch, and knew I would be able to sell the magazine easier, so she sent me to get her lunch money as well. We ate good that day.

Anyway, here is my first video in Portuguese. I hope you all enjoy it. Just remember I'm an American trying to learn Portuguese.

Receita:

2 xícaras de gelo

1 xícara de água

1/4 xícara agave

100 gramas Polpa de maracujá 

Recipe:

2 cups ice

1 cup water

1/4 cup agave

100 grams passionfruit pulp

Starbucks Orange Cranberry Scones Vegan Style

The only bad thing about these are they're gone as soon as you make them. They certainly don't last long, because everyone goes back for seconds and even thirds. 

This recipe was actually taken from the orange cranberry scones they offer at Starbucks. They were one of my mom's favorite desserts there, until she found the recipe and was able to make them at home. She passed the recipe along to me and I was able to make them vegan for us to enjoy. 

These scones are a great sweet treat because in the whole batch it only contains 7 teaspoons of sugar. That's almost less than 1/2 a teaspoon per scone, and that's a whole lot less than your average dessert. However, with the glaze it adds a little bit more, but the glaze is always optional.

Recipe:

Scones: 2 cups all-purpose flour

7 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp grated orange peel

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/3 cup cold vegan butter

1 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup soy creamer

1 Tbsp ground flaxseed

3 Tbsp water

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp orange juice

Fruit Butter:

1/3 cup vegan butter

2-3 Tbsp jelly (orange would be best with the scones, but you can use any flavor)

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 7 teaspoons sugar, orange peel, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; set aside. Combine the flaxseed and water. Set aside until you're ready to mix the dry and wet ingredients together. In a small bowl combine the cranberries, orange juice, cream. Add to flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. On a floured surface, gently knead 6-8 times. Pat dough into an 8 inch circle. Cut into 10-12 wedges. Separate wedges and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (parchment paper is optional). Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. At 12 minutes brush the scones with the glaze, then put back in the oven for about 3 more minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack. 

Serve butter with warm scones. 

Day 5: Eating Vegan Is Easy

This is the last day of showing you what I eat during the week. I hope it's been helpful in some way to you. My main point was for you to see that being vegan does not have to be complicated or time consuming. I'm busy just like you, so I need quick health meals. 

Let me know what you all think, and let me know what else you would like to see more of. 

Thanks! 

Day 4: Eating Vegan Can Be Quick

Day 4. Being vegan doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming, and these videos help to prove that. My week schedule is as busy as anyones. I leave around 7am and don't get home until 5:30pm. That doesn't give me much time to spend cooking or preparing food. It's still important to make time for good food. Typically I will make dinner and then pack some for lunch the next day. This helps to save time. Also in the evening I will think about what I can make for breakfast. I'll make it the night before, if possible, or at least know by morning what I can grab. 

My goal is for you to realize you don't need a lot of time to prepare foods to be vegan. Some foods may take longer to make, but it's all worth it in the end. Enjoy it! 

Day 3: Simple Vegan Eating on a Daily Basis

Day 3. I've been getting comments from people about the amount, or lack there of, of food on the videos. My point in these videos wasn't to show how much food to eat, but rather give ideas on basic vegan eating on a daily basis. Portion sizes will vary depending on the person, so it would be impossible for me to point out how much of each to eat. (Unless we have a one-on-one consultation). :)

Other than that I hope you all are enjoying the videos. Give me some more ideas for videos for the future.

Day 2: Practical Vegan Eating

Most of these recipes should look familiar if you've seen my other blogs or videos. It's not to do it on purpose, but I have made these recipes for blogs and videos because they are the typical foods that I eat. Simple, quick and delicious is my motto. You should be able to see that after this week of videos. So I hope you enjoy!

Day 1: Daily Eating Vegan Style

So it begins. I'll be showing 5 days of how I typically eat being a vegan. I like simple and quick meals, because I always seem to be on the road. I hope during this week you get some ideas on how you can incorporate some of these recipes or foods into your weekly schedule. I'm not asking everyone to be vegan, but what would it hurt to give up meat, and possible dairy, for one day during the week. 

Anyway, this is what my normal day looks like when it comes to food. See you tomorrow! 

5 Days of Eating

So here it is, next week I'll be posting videos during the weekday, showing you what it looks like to eat vegan. I'll be showing you what it looks like to eat vegan for 5 days. Hopefully this will give you more meal ideas, or just to realize that I eat pretty simple. You'll realize why I like quick and simple recipes. I hope you all subscribe to my youtube channel so you can see when the videos come out!

Celebration Cake

Picnic blankets, pillows, barbecue, popcorn balls, family gathered around in my grandpa's yard so we could watch the fireworks go off. This is my favorite childhood memory of the 4th of July. Each year the family would gather and celebrate independence day together. There's just something about that holiday that makes one proud to be in this country. What is your favorite memory of Independence Day?

It's not about the fireworks, it's not about the barbecues, or the delicious desserts. It's about what it all represents and the reason we celebrate. The delightfully moist cake is a great way to celebrate though! Here are some fun facts about Independence Day:

Did you know the declaration of independence was actually voted upon by the Continental Congress on July 2? It wasn't until July 4th that the Declaration of Independence was printed up and signed. Also the liberty bell didn't ring until July 8 when the declaration was read aloud.

Canons were used to celebrate independence day until around 1890 when they were no longer used as much. That's when fireworks started to come about.

We have many traditions when it comes to how we celebrate Independence Day, but let's not forget why we celebrate it today. It was a day we the United States became independent of Great Britain. We gained our independence and freedom to believe and worship how our consciences dictates.

Let's never forget.

But let's celebrate with this delectable dessert! Easy and beautiful to the eyes.

Recipe:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup canola oil

2 tsp vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar)

3/4 cup soy milk

Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup canned coconut milk (regular, and chilled in fridge)

First pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl, and mix the wet ingredients into a separate bowl. Combine the two, and then place in a cake pan. I use parchment paper on the bottom so it is easier for the cake to come out. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Frost and add whatever fruits you would like.

Happy Independence Day!