Banana Bread Muffins (Gluten-Free & Vegan!)

"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace."

 - Amelia Earhart

Only 3 more days.......until the end of the Food Photo Contest!!!! Send me those pics:) (Hey!: you can even use you cell phone camera & send them to my e-mail!!) 
Details on the side --------------------------------->

I may be going bananas.........but these Banana Bread Muffins were deeelicious!   - So delicious that by the time I realized that I didn't have a picture of the finished muffins, they had all disappeared!! Whoops:) Guess we all really enjoyed them.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter & Banana "Sandwich"

"If you imagine it, you can create it.  If you dream it, you can become it." - William Arthur Ward

I know this isn't really a recipe, but it's one of my all time favorite snacks/breakfasts/lunches/dinners/desserts!!  Seriously, you can have this one just about any time and feel good about it - & filled up:) - & it's REEEEALLY EASY!

Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." 

- S.D. Gordon

Cucumber Olive Tofu Dip

This was so yummy & really fresh tasting - I used fresh parsley from the garden & it was soooo good!

Another great one I borrowed from "1,000 Vegan Recipes" & tweaked a bit:)  It was really creamy & you couldn't even taste the tofu (I just used a little).  If you can't have soy, just eliminate this & I'm sure it'll still be delicious!

Vegan Mango Lassi

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

This mango lassi is delicious!!  I used to love getting these with Indian food - really helps cool you down - but usually they're made with dairy.  Then I found this great vegan recipe in "1,000 Vegan Recipes" and I had to try it!  

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Hey guys! It's April 20th & you know what that means:).......only 10 more days until the FOOD PHOTO CONTEST is over!!! - so send me those pics! -** Remember, the winner gets an Amazing Super Prize basket & everyone who participates gets a  PRIZE too!
The info is on the right over here-----------------------------> if you missed it:)

And, if you're feeling like you need a little warming up, inside or out, this Shepherd's Pie is for you!! Granted, it did take a little longer to make than I thought it would....but it was delicious!  Maybe you can try it over the weekend or when you have a little more time. - Whenever you try it, you won't be disappointed!

TACO Time!!

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." - Buddha

Yes, Katie! - it's Taco Time.  I have been meaning to post tacos on here for awhile.......so here they are! I eat tacos pretty often - because I CAN eat corn tortillas:) & because they're pretty easy to make......and you can fill them with just about anything that you have - grilled & fresh veggies, meat, tofu, seitan or tempeh, rice, beans, etc.etc.etc.

Eggplant Bake

Eggplant parmesan is definitely one of my favorite comfort foods:) I love it!
So I wanted to share a recipe for it with you here that EVERYONE could ENjoy! Easier said than done without using cheese, tomatoes or wheat/bread crumbs:) ......
but I did it, & it was DELICIOUS!

Mango Strawberry Protein Smoothie

Yesterday you might have been wondering what the heck was going on here.......

Well, this smoothie was so good I just had to gulp it down.

TWO GREAT MEALS!: #1. One Pan Veggie Pasta & a Mixed Green Salad

Two Great Meals for you to choose from!  Both really yummy & easy to whip up!!

#1. One Pan Veggie Pasta & a Mixed Green Salad

MEAL #2: Grilled Polenta Cakes, Grilled Sausages & Warm Spinach Salad

Dylan got cooking!! - Grilled Polenta Cakes, Grilled Sausage & Warm Spinach Salad 

Cilantro Rice, Grilled Chicken & Mixed Green Salad

"People often say that motivation doesn't last.  Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."  - Zig Ziglar

This meal was filled with lots of cilantro - it keeps coming up all over the place in the back yard & so I picked a huge mess of it - & it ended up in just about everything we had for dinner.

I know my mom & Aunt Karen would be lovin' this one!! :)  (can't you just smell it already.....?!)

FOOD PICTURE CONTEST #2

YUM! Hummus by Liz R. 

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!  

Thanks to everyone who sent in pics last time  - you guys are the BEST and your photos were so greeeeat we have to do it again!
Send me your pictures: of your meals, treats and eats!!
Anything will do - it doesn't have to be something we ALL can eat, but it can be:)

*Send pictures to ellenmillaine@gmail.com.........or if you wanna do it by snail mail, shoot me an email & I'll send you the address.

Best picture WINNER gets a wonderful box of PRIZES!!!!! (filled with body, bath & food goodies)
And just like last time.....EVERYONE who participates gets a treat!

CONTEST ENDS:  4/30/11!!!!
so send me those Pictures (feel free to go wild & send more than one!)

Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

"When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat." - Mark Twain


Mark does have a point there....especially paired with strawberries in this delicious smoothie!

Chocolate Banana Cream Pie (Vegan & Gluten-Free!)

WOW! This was some good pie!!  It's so good you should try it even if you can eat gluten & dairy!

 I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but my bf and I shared pretty much the whole things last night.  I could not stop eating it! (.......and then I pushed my belly through some yoga to make up for it:)

Baked Beans & Strawberry Microgreen Salad

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." 
- Mae West

Happy Sunday!

And on another note, you have got to try these baked beans!  They were sweet, salty and delicious. You can keep them vegan, or add some bacon on the top before baking them - either way they are so good.

Sun Tea!

"Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world." - T'ien Yiheng

We were lucky enough to have another beeeeautiful day in Northern CA, and I brewed up a little sun tea!  This was so refreshing & delicious - whenever I drink this I feel like I'm taking in a little of the sun too:)

Meditation Time

Meditation:  Not only is it great for your mind, it's great for your body too. It can also be really helpful n dealing with eczema, & other stress related conditions.   I have been meditating sporadically for awhile and felt some benefits.  But I was inspired more recently to bring meditation into my life by a book my dad bought: "Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation - A 28 day Program" by Sharon Salzberg.  It also comes w/ a CD where she guides you through some meditations - very helpful!  Thanks Dad for opening my eyes to this:)