Vegan for a Day - at University

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts how we don't need to eat meat. Fruits and vegetables contain all the nutrients that our body needs, but as humans, we've grown accustomed to eating animals for centuries now. Some people eat other animals based on tradition and one's culture, or just simply because it tastes good, and it really does taste good, especially when seasoned right and cooked well done.

I eat meat, and I admit, I enjoy it, but I also eat 'vegetarian' a lot. However, for a while now, I have wanted to try going through a whole day as a Vegan. So many people see "vegan" or being "vegan" as such a strange, abnormal concept, but it really isn't! When you eat fruits and vegetables (without any animal products added) - that is "vegan". Vegetable soup (only using vegetable broth etc.) - that's vegan too. Even Oreo cookies are vegan! I know a lot of people who eat meat eat oreos too.

So why does "vegan" have to be something so out of the ordinary, out of the norm? I think this question goes back to our perspective of the world and of the society in which we live in, as well as  the history of mankind. It also reaches toward the concept of socialization. Since when, and how, and why, did eating animals become a norm? Why is it acceptable in some societies, but forbidden in others? Food for thought, wouldn't you say?

This past Wednesday, I wanted to try eating only "Vegan" accepted foods. It was much difficult to do on campus university. I believe that at home, where I can cook my own foods, this "challenge" would have been a lot easier - just like eating healthier can be easy if done at home. Eventually, I will try Vegan for a full week. At this moment in my life, I do not think I will eat only vegan foods, for one reason I want to travel the world and try all sorts of cuisine!

For now, here is what I could find at University.

Breakfast (just foods from my own pantry because the only vegan food that the cafeteria offers is some fruit)

sliced green apple with natural peanut butter and cinnamon; one medjool date

this literally tastes like carrot, like watery carrots

 I always wondered what carrot juice tasted like...well, it's certainly not the tastiest drink; I only drank it because it's good for you...I'm like that, it's ok. I've got a long way to go with this one, so next time I'm adding some orange juice! I usually can only tolerate about 4oz. of this.

gotta have Runa. natural tea from the Amazonian guayusa plant

Snack

water, corn nuts, and peaches

Dinner

salad

french fries are vegan too! (if cooked in the right oil)

Late-Night snack studying at the library

Grocery Shopping in College - Just a Look..

What I, as a college student, buy at the grocery store.  First time I took a bus to the grocery store away from home...my Freshman year..so this was a while ago.

Laundry detergent
Mug - gotta have that cuppa!
Batteries
Black Radiance Lipsticks (some luscious dark colors, oh yes!)
Head phones that don't hurt my ear
French loaf
Amish potato salad
Cheesesticks
Chobani Apple Cinnamon yogurt - my favorite,  besides the Plain yogurt
Applesauce
Peaches
An owl charm
Ribbon

Yep, all these things came in handy to me!

Since then, I've taken a few trips every once in a blue moon. But now, it's all about SAVING. I'm fortunate to have a meal plan so why buy things off campus that I can already get at the cafeteria or other food courts (that has already been paid for through student fees)? Unless what the dining services offer is not appealing. Or something that I need or want that the services are lacking...like Goldfish (the snack!).

Unfortunately, the campus stores are very expensive and is an injustice to the students who are already paying thousands of dollars to attend university. You might pay $2 - $3 for a box of cereal at a store in town, but end up paying $5 - $6 for the same cereal, yet half the size, in the student stores at my university!

So yes, you have to weigh your options with anything. There are certain cases where buying food or snacks from stores in town is more sufficient. Other times, if the food or snack is already paid for (Thank your parents, or whoever helped to pay it!), then it's best to stay on campus and save your money.

Cranberry Pear Oatmeal Muffins

 

[Double the recipe from my Tropical Fruit Oatmeal Muffins you can find in an earlier post]

2 cups Almond Milk - Original Unsweetened
2 cups Quaker Oats
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Canola Oil
2 cups All-Purpose Flour (I used the King Arthur brand - the Medievalist in me!)
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
4 tsp Baking Powder (got it right this time! ;)
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla Extact
1 Green Pear, chopped
1/2 cup Dried Cranberries

[Follow same directions from Tropical Fruit Oatmeal Muffins]

These ones didn't come out as sweet as the earlier ones. If you want it sweeter though, you can add another 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to make 1 cup. I just didn't want to use up all my precious cranberries. And add another 1/2 cup of brown sugar to make 1 cup. But hey, nothing wrong with keeping it hearty and healthy! I just love all the different things you can do and add to homemade muffins. Next on my list will be Strawberry and Blueberry!



Where is autumn? I want autumn!

Nature Valley Yogurt Strawberry Bar REVIEW

I just enjoy all sorts of nature bars, granola bars, those bars advertised for hikers and runners, you name it! They are great for if you're on the go running around, in between meals, or during/after a good workout. Perfect for college students like me. So why not review some?

Nature Valley's Yogurt Strawberry Bar was sweet, chewy, and crunchy. The milky, sweet strawberry flavor was like strawberry ice cream - on the bottom. Two other bonuses: NO High Fructose Corn Syrup and NO Red #40 dye - both destructively unhealthy.

Tropical Fruit Oatmeal Muffins

I've been wanting to make oatmeal muffins, seeing as oatmeal has become one of my favorite breakfast items, as well as its health benefits. There are so many different treats and fruits that you can add to make all sorts of amazing muffins. The possibilities are endless! Anyway, I had lots of leftover dried fruit that I didn't feel like just eating so I decided to add it to muffins and it came out delicious. I found a recipe online, but it looked and sounded bland and not too healthy so I swapped out a lot of ingredients and added my own healthier alternative. Not too sweet and just right.

I'm always curious to see what the finished product looks like on the inside, or for a cake, on the side!

 Ingredients:

1 cup Almond Milk - Original Unsweetened
1 cup Quaker Oats
1 egg
1/4 cup Canola oil (or Natural Applesauce)
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tbsp Pecan Chips
1/2 cup (4oz.) Tropical Fruit dried mix [dried dates, pineapple, papaya, raisins, banana chips, coconut shavings]

Directions: [Basic directions can be found from allrecipes.com "Easy Oatmeal Muffins Recipe"]

- Preheat oven [I used a toaster oven which worked just as well] 425 F [220 C]
- Grease the muffin cups or line with paper baking cups
- In a small bowl, mix the milk and oats and soak for about 15 minutes
- In another bowl, beat egg and oil, then stir in the oatmeal mixture
- In a third larger bowl, stir the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stir
- Add vanilla extract, stir
- Add remaining ingredients - pecan chips and dried fruit mix, stir
- Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top!