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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Getting Ready for the Holidays with Mighty Muffins...


The Holiday Mighty Muffin
(Almighty Muffin)


My two sisters, Mary Lou and Mary Ann (yes, really) are amazing bakers.  I think it is something that they got from our Mom, Marie, who was an incredible baker, herself.  I have never been interested in baking, and even at best, it has never been my thing.

As a plant-strong vegan, baking is the most remote thing on my radar.  But, I do have to get into the mood and act as though I am embracing the holidays.  When I listen to my friends talk about Christmas prep, I hear a forgein language.  The talk about things like spritz, and roll, and reindeer food.  Just not for me.  But, I do make one fun thing that has been a staple for a few years.  And, guess what? People actually like them!  They have become my newest gift for friends (you either get my Holiday Mighty Muffins or a handmade pair of earrings, if I really like you, you get both!).

Invest in a few silicone muffin pans. I have them in shapes of flowers, snowflakes and trees.  The finished product looks beautiful.  In my family of origin, we always made cookie trays adorned with fruit and candy.  My version of a cookie tray isn't quite as fancy as Grandma Montaruli's, but I do my plant-strong best.

You can find the recipe for the Mighty Muffin at www.Engine2diet.com. Take that recipe and make it your own!  Add dried fruit, grain sweetned vegan chocolate chips...the world is your muffin. 

Christmas doesn't have to be a time of the year for a food freakout...freakout in the sense of either eating too much, OR in that of "What am I going to do to stay plant-strong?"  Make some muffins, and you will be fine.  Get some pretty tins, and you will have some beautiful gifts!

Wishing you a Plant-Strong Christmas and every good Plant-Strong Wish for a Healthy 2013.

As we say in Philly, "Yo, Yo, Yo..."

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Still Eating Plants





The New Delivery Ladies from Candle 79 West

Guess which one is the Silver Haired Vegan?  The brunette, my friend Deb, is also a vegan...I hang out with lots of vegans.  We are not boring.

Hello and happy December.  So, so busy.  Eating plants.  Working out at a new gym.  Making sugar-free jam. And trying to find balance, just like everyone else.

You can find me regularly over at the Engine 2 Diet, where I have been blogging in a column called "Saving Time with Char."  It's my approach to fast, delicious plant-strong food that doesn't keep you in the kitchen for hours at a time.  On Engine 2 Extra, I get to work with "members" who are on this journey to eat plant-based, and embrace a healthier lifestyle.  And sometimes, one of my blog entries becomes the "featured" blog of the day.

The primary cornerstones of being plant-strong involve the following:

-No salt, sugar, oil

-No dairy, eggs, meat, fish

-No white flour, rice

If you want to find out more information, visit:  www.Engine2Diet.com

You can also find out lots about Engine 2 Extra.  Both worth your time and energy.

I'll see you again.  Don't worry, I am not hidden in a vat of cookie dough.

Love.  Love.

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