Year of the Dragon

Photo by chooyutshing

The year of the dragon is upon us once again, promising good fortune for those born in 1988 (like me).  A symbol of energy and strength, the dragon is a leader among the heavenly and earthly realms, spouting not only brimstone, but the vast knowledge of the world.  Dragons are typically loners, requiring time in solitude to recuperate from their often stressful encounters.

As a child, I always told myself I would find a dragon someday while exploring the ancient lands of Asia.  Diving into ocean trenches, exploring volcano caverns, navigating the densest forests.  What I might actually find will probably be a mystery forever, but sometimes the dream is enough.  Holding on to childhood memories helps us remember who we are.  That being said, let's take a spiel into dragon territory in light of the Chinese New Year.

Dragon Blood Dessert

1/2 c. water

1 c. sugar

2 tsp. cherry extract

Cherry sherbet (or any red sorbet)

Cherry 7-up

Cook the water, sugar, and extract mixture over medium heat until sugar dissolves completely and mixture becomes clear (or red if extract is colored).  Let cool and transfer to squeeze bottle with small nozzle or tip.  Chill stemmed glasses in freezer for about 30 minutes, until frosty.  Place 1 to 2 scoops of sherbet in each glass, followed by the soda.  Drizzle simple syrup over sherbet and enjoy.

*Note: The red elements can be replace with lime flavored ingredients to create the look of dragon snot.*

I'm still working on a dragon rice recipe, something spicy with a lot of crunch.  I will post the results later.  Dragon cupcakes sound like a good idea too, with crimson wrappers and butter cream eyes.

Here's hoping Shenron has a fruitful year!

~The Vegetarian Cat

Coconut for Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!  It's the time of year for family, friends, and tons of holiday treats.  I have recently been on a coconut kick, baking bread pudding and vegan chocolate cake.  The recipes were so awesome, I'm going to share them with you.

Vegan Chocolate Banana Cake (with Coconut)
Adapted from The Novice Chef

1/2 c. coconut milk
1/2 c. ripe bananas (I used 1 large banana)
1/3 canola or vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Mash together banana and coconut milk in a large bowl, followed by sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.  Stir or whisk until well mixed.  Add the remaining dry ingredients, and combine until smooth with no dry lumps.  Pour batter into bundt pan lightly coated with cooking spray.  Mixture will fill pan less than halfway.  Bake 24 minutes.  If toothpick does not come out clean, bake an additional 2 minutes until complete.  Let cool before transferring to a serving plate.

White Chocolate Glaze (optional)

*Note:  This cake is very moist on its own, but I made mine as a birthday surprise and used this glaze to write a message on the cake*

1 handful of white chocolate chips (about 1/2 c.)
2 tbsp. coconut milk

Combine ingredients in microwave safe bowl and melt for 30 seconds.  Stir until glossy.  If chips are not completely melt, heat an additional 20 seconds.  Pour glaze into baggie and cut the corner of the bag.  Apply pressure to the frosting and slowly pipe glaze on cake.  If you want extra coconut flavor, sprinkle fresh or toasted coconut on glaze.

*** ~ ***

Almond Joy Bread Pudding

1 3/4 c. granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 c. milk or half n half
3/4 c. Coconut Silk or coconut milk
2 tsp. almond extract
2 1/2 c. dense, sweet bread, torn into pieces and left in fridge for a week or oven overnight
1/2 c. milk or dark chocolate chips
1/2 c. shredded coconut
1/4 c. chopped almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly grease 8x8 or 9x13 pan, set aside.  Whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, coconut milk, and almond extract.  Place bread chunks into pan, and sprinkle with chocolate chips and almonds.  Pour egg mixture over bread, and push down on bread until all pieces have soaked up the custard.  Bake for 35 minutes, remove, and evenly distribute coconut over the top.  Bake for an additional 5 minutes until custard is set and top is slightly golden brown.  Devour hot or cold.  For a glaze, I recommend simply placing a good spoonful of Haagen Daaz vanilla ice cream over the top of the hot bread pudding.

*Note:  I used Panera raisin bread in the pudding.  The raisins worked well with the chocolate and coconut, but it's really about your personal taste.*

*** ~ ***

Relax, be merry, and spread some of this holiday cheer to animals in need.  Now, off to spend some time with my furry baby.

~The Vegetarian Cat

Shopping ---> Baking

Christmas shopping is kind of crazy.  I've been stressed out trying to determine which gift would be right for each person on my list.  Then, after looking at tons of delicious holiday goodies I wanted to make next week, I realized I should go back to the best method of Christmas gift giving, homemade gifts that actually mean something.  Yes, I could drop $50 on a pair of jeans or $70 for those shoes, but I would much rather use my time and skills in the kitchen to spread the love, quite gingerly if we are talking about frosting ;)  Not only will I save money, but my recipients will be able to lavish themselves in freshly baked gingerbread and Buche de Noel, knowing my hours at the stove were all for those moments on their taste buds.  So, the menu?  I'm thinking these:

- Classic chocolate Buche de Noel w/ hand-drawn chocolate forest friends and mushrooms
- Gingerbread critters
- Frosted sugar cookies
- English toffee
- Red and green swirled chocolate fudge
- Soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies
- Peppermint bark

I've pretty much prepared everything else before, except the Buche de Noel.  May Saint Nick be with me to bake a delicious, moist genoise with amazingly creamy buttercream! 

*Coupon Deals of the Week*

Walgreens
Simply Orange or Tropicana Orange Juice $2.99
- use $.50/1 mfc from Walgreens Dec. coupon booklet
Ice Mountain 24-pack bottled water 2/$7, receive 1RR
- use $1/2 mfc peelie on package
- pay $6, get 1RR, $2.50 per 24-pack
Snickers Holiday Nutcrackers $.39
- buy 6, use (2) $1/2 Christmas Mars chocolates
- pay $.34 for all 6!

HyVee
Midwest Country Fare Light Brown or Powdered Sugar $.99 w/ in-ad coupon
Keebler Zesta Saltines $.99 w/ in-ad coupon
Russet Potatoes $.99/5 lb. w/ in-ad coupon
HyVee Cream Cheese $.79 w/ in-ad coupon
HyVee Eggs $.88 w/ in-ad coupon
Imperial Margarine $.49/ 1 lb. w/ in-ad coupon
Ritz Crackers 2/$4
- use $1/1 Nabisco crackers mfc
HyVee frozen veggies $.68
Del Monte Gold pineapple $2.48
Dole Premium Salads 2/$3
Eggplant $.99
Green peppers and cucumbers 2/$1

Here's to more snow!

~The Vegetarian Cat

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving, filled with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and tofurky :D  Now try to keep Fluffy out of the leftovers ;)

~ The Vegetarian Cat

Black Friday Deals!

Last week didn't have the greatest deals, but with Thanksgiving fast approaching, stores love nothing more than to drain your wallets, making you so thankful that pay day is around the corner. I'm not a huge believer in spending just because the holidays are coming up, but I will shell a few bells when I know a deal is good and there are items to stash in my stockpile. Here are the best deals this week for all those veggie lovers out there!

Walgreens  

Welch’s Sparkling Grape Juice 2/$5  
- use $1/2 from Dec. Wags Booklet, $2/2 MF from Facebook
- pay $1 per bottle   
Bic Soleil Bella 3-pack 2/$6, 4RR  
- use (2) $2/1 MF
- pay $2, get 4RR  
*Revlon Lipstick $4.99, 4RR 
- use $1/1 MF from Walmart insert 10/9 
- pay $3.99, get 4RR  
*Axe Deodorant $3.79, 1RR 
- use $1/1 MF  
- pay $2.79, get 1RR 
Advil PM Pain Relief $.99, .99RR 
Oral-B Indicator Toothbrush $1.50, 1.50RR 
Thermacare $2.49, 2.49RR 
Cortaid $2.99, 2.99RR 
GUM Toothbrush $2, 2RR 
Renew Life Ultimate Chialife Seeds $10, 10RR 
Colgate $3, 3RR 
- use $1/1 Colgate from Walgreens Diabetes & You magazine 
- pay $2, get 3RR 
Crest 3D Vivid Toothpaste $2.50, 2.50RR 
- use $.75/1 MF from P&G 10/16, pay $1.75, get 2.50RR 
Scunci Hair Ties 2/$3, 3RR 
Dentek Floss Picks $2, 2RR 
- use $.75/1 from SS 10/23, pay 1.25, get 2RR 
Preparation H Wipes $2.75, 2.75RR 
- use $2/1 MF, pay .75, get 2.75RR

(* - not sure if these contain animal ingredients, need to double check)
CVS

Breathe Right Nasal Strips Bonus Size 10 + 2 ct., $5.99, get 5.99 ECB
- use $1.50/1 MF from RP 10/16
- and use $1.50/1 CVS coupon 
Finish Quantum, 10 ct., $2.99, get 2.99 ECB
- use $1/1 from SS 10/23 or 11/20
Colgate Toothpaste, $2.87, get $2.87 ECB
Fiber One Brownies, $3.99, get 3.99 ECB
- use $.40/1 General Mills Fiber One brownies from SS 10/02
Carmex, .15-.35 oz $1, get 1 ECB
- use $.30/1 Carmex lip balm from RP 10/30 
GUM Super or Micro Tip Soft Toothbrush, 2 ct. $2.99, get 2.99 ECB
Balance Bar $1.69, get 1.69 ECB
Starbucks Double Shot, 6.5 oz $1.69, get 1.69 ECB
Hershey’s King Size Bar, 2.1-2.86 oz 99¢, get .99 ECB
Mars Chocolate Singles Candy, 1.08-2.15 oz $.75, .75 ECB
Advil PM, 4 ct. $.99, .99 ECB
Advil 10 ct. $2.99, 2.99 ECB
CVS Dental Flossers, 90 ct. $1.99, 1.99 ECB
Pepto Bismol, 4 oz $2.99, 2.99 ECB
Kleenex Cool Touch Tissues, 50 ct. $1.50, 1.50 ECB 

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee Green Beans or Corn .$39 

Dole Celery $.49

Hy-Vee Brown & Serve Rolls 2/$3

Vlasic Pickles $2/4

- use $.75/1 Vlasic from SS 9/11

Kraft Marshmallow Crème $1.18

Cool Whip $.99

Target

Kraft cheese $2.29

-use $.75/2 Kraft cheeses

Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies $1.00

- use $1/3 Birds Eye veggies 


Eggs $1.29

-use $.55/2 from Incredible Eggs Facebook page

Campbell's Cream of Mushroom $.59

- use $.40/4 Campbell's condensed soups from SS 10/9

Swanson Chicken Broth $.59

- use $.50/3 Swanson canned broth from SS 11/6

French Fried Onions $2.79

-use $.40/1 from campbellskitchen.com

Good luck shopping this week!  Remember to arrive at all of your stores early, especially the biggest Black Friday deals that you are going after.  Limited quantities really do mean limited!  Make sure to wear running shoes and have a nice cup of hot coffee for your pick-me-up.  If you are stopping by Petsmart or Petco for their Black Friday sales, please donate some of that savings to local humane societies :)

~The Vegetarian Cat

I'm a New Mommy!

I'm the proud, new mommy of a hyperactive, black baby chinchilla named Fujin.  He is only 10 weeks old, but has the chewing capacity of a crocodile.  Aside from fussing and worrying about him every moment I'm awake (and sometimes in my dreams) I love this little guy and his predictable escape tactics leading him behind the refrigerator or into the bevels of the piano.  I bought him this adorable loofah burger that he rolls around his cage, chewing on the fake tomato slice with a twitch in his whiskers.  After taking him to the vet, I'm relieved to know I have an extremely healthy (and incredibly cute) little fuzz ball in my care.  Now I just need to chinchilla-proof the entire house.  Yeah right.  In 3 bites he can demolish pretty much any electrical cord while still having enough energy to dig up the carpet and scratch down the door.  But I love him :3

* Coupon Steals & Deals *
Not much is going on this week in terms of couponing, mainly because stores are prepping for Black Friday.  Here are the main highlights:

Walgreens
- Estroven Maximum Strength, 28 ct $9.99, buy 1 receive $9.99 in RR
- Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice, $3 each wyb 2
     > Use $75./1 Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice
     > And use $1/2 Welch's Sparkling from Walgreens Nov. Booklet
     > Pay only $1.75 per bottle (This juice is my favorite!)
- 1 Gallon of Milk $2.99 (price is regional)
- Nice! Tomato Sauce, 8 oz., $.39 with in-ad coupon, limit 3
- Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, $.99 with in-ad coupon
     > Use $1/2 Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
     > Pay only $.49 per can 
CVS
- Wet n’ Wild Eye Liner Pencil, Silk Finish Lip or Shine Nail Color $0.69
     > Use $1.00/1 Wet n’ Wild product from RP 11/6 exp. 12/31
     > FREE plus possible overage!
Target 
- Glade Holiday Collection, buy 5 participating products & receive a $5.00 Target gift card
     > Buy 5 Glade items at $2.50, including 1 room spray
     > Use 2 $1.50/2 Glade Winter Collection item
     > And use $.55/1 Glade Winter room spray
     > Pay $8.95 oop and receive $5 gift card, thus $.79 per item
- Del Monte Canned Vegetables, 15.25 oz., $0.49
- Method cleaning spray, 28 oz. or dish soap, 18 oz., $2.49
     > Use $0.50/1 Method Product from SS 9/18 exp. 11/30
     > And use $1.00/1 Method Cleaning Target Coupon
     > Pay $.99 (Method has awesome, enviro-friendly products!)
- Campbell’s Tomato Soup $0.55
     > Use $1.00/5 Campbell’s Condensed Soup
     > Pay $.35 per can

=^. .^= Critter Watch <(*_*)>
Chinchillas!!!  From the Genus Chinchilla (clever, right?), these clouds of fluff are technically rodents, hailing from the South American country of Chile.  Although they can't speak Spanish, chinchillas have other abilities more impressive then bilingualism.  Their strong legs have evolved for jumping, up to 6 feet if they so desire, and bounding with Sonic speed across rocky ledges (and human torsos).  Chinchillas in the wild exhibit crepuscular behavior, waking during dawn and dusk to forage and find water.  Due to their soft, silky fur, chinchillas have been targets for the fur trade since the 16th century (TOTALLY NOT OK!!!).  In response to a massive decline in population, it is now illegal to hunt chinchillas.  I'm glad my little Fujikins is in safe and loving hands.

With the holiday season coming up, consider adopting a pet from a local shelter; they all need good homes and what better gift than a loving family?

~The Vegetarian Cat

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Hope you had a fun and animal-friendly celebration of all things ghoulish and creepy >:D

~The Vegetarian Cat