Ice Cube Trays - 5 Tips for an Indispensable Kitchen Gadget for Preventing Food Waste!

Are you thinking ice cube trays, really???? And the answer is yes.  Using the ice cube trays to freeze things helps prevent waste which is good for the environment and your pocket book.  I know this list is endless.  Once the liquid is frozen, remove them an place them into plastic bags or other container in your freezer so you have empty trays to reuse.  Remember to label the containers as you will forget what is in there.  I forget all the time!

1. Coffee and Tea - Make a little extra coffee and tea.  Put it in the freezer in the ice cube trays.  Add it to your coffee and tea without watering it down. Or into some Bailey's or Amaretto.
2. Wine - In those rare cases you have some left, it does freeze. I know from the bottle I accidentally left in there!  You can then add it to your recipes without it being "off".
3. Milk (cow, soy, almond, cashew, etc) - I never use milk fast enough. It inevitably goes bad.  I'll freeze it in water bottles or other containers to reuse at a later date.  Know that the consistency of the non-dairy milks may change a bit and will require more mixing to combine
   
   the particles that have separated in the freezing/thawing process. I have also started putting them in ice cube trays to then put in a frozen smoothie, an orange julius type drink we made growing up, or even iced coffee.  Add some vanilla, chocolate, or other flavoring before freezing too!
4. Fruit - I have been freezing fruit before it goes bad. Happens quickly especially when you get if from the vendors on the streets in NYC.  You can freeze them whole or put some in the ice cube trays with some water to add to water or tea or wine for a different flavor.
5. Flowers and herbs  - freeze them in water, edible flowers such as lavender and the flowers when basil and mint blossom.  Add them to water or seltzer.  What's Cooking America has a very comprehensive list.

Have more suggestions not on the list?  Add to it in the comments below and share!!

Orange Julius (Orange July haha)

6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate (or other frozen juices)

1 c water

1/2 c milk (substitute 6 milk ice cubes, heavy cream, almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk)

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c sugar (or less or powdered sugar, I find it sweet enough with the concentrated oj and less liquid)

10 ice cubes

Additions I have experimented with that change it up you can add in addition to the basic recipe...

3T egg white opt (caution when using raw egg products for salmonella and other possible illnesses, use a pasteurized egg white product.)**

1/8 c vanilla protein powder opt
1/8 T hemp, flax, or chia seeds

I just add all the ingredients to the blender and go.  The simpler the better.  Crush the ice to desired consistency.

Serves 4

**http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/egg-safety-tips-recipes-and-eggcetera

TVeg & Holiday Shopping!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!  Oooooooohhhhhhhhhh and Happy Shopping!!!  Now that

 Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over - time to shop That's Vegetarian.   

Pick up Sal y Pimienta Virgin Avocado Oil for your friends, family, and heck yourself too!  It's smoke point is 520F (271C) compared to Butter 350F (177C) and Extra Virgin Olive Oil 320F (160C).  Not to mention how nutritious and flavorful it is. Some of the health benefits include improved cardiovascular health, nourishes your skin and hair, aids in cancer prevention, and antioxidant properties with the omega 3's and 6's plus Vitamin E.  It has a soft nutty taste with a balanced hint of avocado.  Use it for baking, sauteing, searing and to top finished dishes and salads.   

Special holiday pricing:  250ml ~ $10, reg $12 and 500ml ~ $18, reg $20, plus shipping.  Email That's Vegetarian to place your order today!

                                                                                                    

Do you live in Southern California or need to get a gift for someone who does?  Check out these SoCal offerings for a gift certificate:

   

   

Beauty and The Ink is dedicated to making you look beautiful and our high performance products help us to make you feel good about it too!!  Vanessa Riggs, amazing Aesthetician and Cosmetologist, will provide you with organic, vegan, cruelty free products.  Vanessa has done the research so you can sit back, relax and know you are environmentally friendly!!!  

We have chosen to avoid using toxic chemicals found in many hair product lines which damage and jeopardize the structural integrity of hair.  Using Organic Salon Systems we have 100% ammonia free hair color with no harmful fumes plus there is no scalp discomfort or staining, longer lasting color and excellent grey coverage. Certified Organic ingredients naturally sooth, moisturize, prevent and repair damaged hair. All products have been certified by PETA as cruelty-free and 100% vegan.


Located:  20996 Bake Parkway #110   Lake Forest, CA 92630    949-916-4168  

  

Call Vanessa now and get 10% off services when you mention That's Vegetarian.

  

BalanceWork Yoga and Massage's mission is to provide safe, therapeutic yoga classes, workshops and massage designed to improve mental and physical health, productivity, and well being.  BalanceWork Yoga and Massage was founded by Mark DeWhitt under the strong conviction that preventative wellness programs can effectively address the problems that cause work related injuries. This leads to happier, healthier employees and employers.  The list of accolades from students and clients speaks for itself.  Contact Mark to schedule your appointment or to get a gift certificate for someone you care about today.  Mention That's Vegetarian for a 10% discount.    

                                                                                                                      

My favorite cutlery is CUTCO by far.  It is made in the USA and guaranteed

 

for life!!!  How awesome is that?  Plus free sharpening forever.  The list of benefits goes on and on. 

Check out the products on the CUTCO website.  The Trimmer is one knife a kitchen cannot be without.    

Email That's Vegetarian to get your personal and gift order ready for the holidays. 
                                                                                                                           

  

 

I have recently discovered Muddy Paw Coffee and it is DELICIOUS!!!!  I am normally not a fan of flavored coffee but they have the BEST Hazelnut ever.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every roast of theirs that I have had.  Another great quality, they support rescue animal organizations with every bag ordered.  Not to mention it is sent withing 48 hours of roasting right to your door.   Get your holiday gift at Muddy Paw Coffee.   

I am looking for an animal rescue organization that will partner with That's Vegetarian.  I will provide a venue on my website, show and blog and you provide basic information about your organization and a link at your website.  In turn, you receive money for each pound sold.  Sounds like a win win for me!!  

                                                                                                                

Just added:

Visited Spice Station today in Silverlake and it was like walking into spice heaven!!!!! I met Bronwen Tawse, one of the owners, and she was full of knowledge of the spices and suggestions on how to use them.  They sell about 140 spices, herbs, salts, peppercorns and chilies, which are available by the ounce, quarter-pound or pound in store or order online.  Colorful index cards list the price, country of origin, uses and medicinal purposes, where applicable. The spices are ground free of charge, or you can take the whole pods, berries and seeds to go.  "Every neighborhood should have access to purchasing the highest quality product at affordable prices. Our goal now is to facilitate this process."

Pop into the store in Silverlake, the Santa Monica location is under renovations, or order online and mention That's Vegetarian for a 10% discount.  

Visit That's Vegetarian's website, blog , and YouTube channel for more information, videos, and recipes!!  You'll find yourself saying "That's Vegetarian?!" 

BevMo 5cent Sale Wine Pairing Challenge

Getting in at the last minute to provide you with wine Pairings for the BevMo's 5 Cent Sale with the recipes from That's Vegetarian from July on, the last time we did the pairing.  The sale is great, buy a bottle at regular price and the second one is just 5 cents!!  Bummer BevMo is in California and Arizona but you can order online!  Please send me the the name of the wine store in your area when they have a sale like this and we'll be happy to do the pairing for you!

To watch the video, click on Video.  To print the recipe, click on Print. 

Recipe	White	Red	Pink	Splurge
Mango Lime Coleslaw Print	Loredona Riesling '10	Crucillon Garnacha
Baked Falafel Video  Print	Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc Lake County '10	Buscado Garnacha '10		Gruet Pinot Noir '08
Watermelon Mint Print	Canals & Nubiola Cava Brut	Crucillon Garnacha		Luisi Moscato d'Asti '10
Gazpacho Video  Print	Terre dei Sicani Fiano '08	Trumpeter Malbec '09
Caprese Skewers Print	Chateau de Brandey Bordeaux Blanc '10	Trecipressi Chianti '09		Da Vinci Chianti Riserva '06
Vegan Ceviche Video  Print	Chateau de Brandey Bordeaux Blanc '10	Buscado Garnacha '10		Keenan Chardonnay '08
Stuffed Peppers with Peaches and Mango Print	Les Pierres Blanche Macon-Villages '10	Fog Head Pinot Noir '09	Bonterra Rose '09	Dahlia Pinot Noir Reserve '09
Mediterranean Summer Grain Salad Video  Print	Little Black Dress Pinot Grigio '09	Trumpeter Malbec '09		Buena Vista Pinot Noir '07
Baked Stuffed Zucchini Video  Print	Les Pierres Blanche Macon-Villages '10	Baroncini Chianti '08		Enrico Serafino Roero Nebbiolo
Banana Bread Vegan Video   Print	Gen 5 Chardonnay '10	Unruly Red '09

Enjoy making the dishes and pairing the wine.  Check Facebook and Twitter for wine pairing updates to previous recipes through the end of the week for the 5cent sale.  Please share your feedback on  , , and and subscribe for exciting updates and information! 

Go to That's Vegetarian and watch one (or all) of the recipe videos, print the recipe(s), and prepare any one of the dishes.  You'll find yourself saying "That's Vegetarian?!"

Banana Bread ~ Vegan

A dark, rich, moist and robust yet subtle vegan banana bread that pairs nicely with a steamy cup of coffee.  Adding a little coffee to the recipe helps bring out the flavor of the bananas.  Instead of egg we are using flax seed meal, we did the same for our Pumpkin Bread.  I use oil in the video, but subsituting 1/2 cup of non-fat plain or vanilla yogurt in makes it more moist and lower in fat but no longer vegan.  I had suggestions of chocolate chips, carob chips, and peanut butter too!!  


Share your suggestions of favorite things inside or on top of your banana bread by commenting below.


Bananas are rich in Potassium (cell integrity)*, Manganese (healthy bones)*, Vitamin C (iron absorbtion)* and Vitamin B6 (red blood cell production). (Bountiful Banana Benefits)  Flax is rich is fiber, minerals and vitamins ~ Magnesium (nerve transmission)*, Phosphorus (formation of cells)*, Copper (iron absorption)*, Thiamin (enrergy)* and Manganese (cell regeneration)* to mention a few.  (Funky Flax Facts)  



Watch the video, print the recipe, prepare any one of the dishes and you'll find yourself saying "That's Vegetarian?!"


*Read on...Harvard Help Guide and Healthy Check Systems

Banana Bread ~ Vegan

2 T ground flax seed
3 T water

3 T coffee  

4 large bananas, mashed
2 T olive oil or 1/2c yogurt or 1/2c apple sauce

1/4 c molasses
1 c whole-wheat flour

1 c unbleached white

1 T pumpkin pie spice

1 t cinnamon

1/3 c sugar
1 t salt
1 t baking soda

3/4 c walnuts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisk or blend the flax water and coffee until frothy.  Mix the mashed bananas, olive oil (yogurt/apple sauce), flax and molasses.

Mix the dry ingredients - flour, sugar, spices, salt, and baking soda.

Combine wet and dry and mix until well blended.  Add walnuts

Pour the batter into prepared loaf pan.  Bake for 55-60 minutes.  After 50 minutes check with knife or toothpick by sticking it in the bread.  If it comes out clean ~ its done.  If it has some batter on it, cook a little longer.  If it still needs to cook longer but is already quite browned, place foil over the top to stop it from browning.

Remove and let cool for at least 15 minutes.
Vegan Banana Bread Printable Recipe
Prep time:  15 min ~ Cook time:  60 min ~ Serves 10  ~ 7pp